Prosecutors say a Melville man was the ringleader of a major drug
trafficking ring in Riverhead that was taken down Thursday.
News 12 is told five people were involved in the drug trafficking.
The alleged ringleader is identified as 26-year-old Robert
Johnson.
Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy Sini says Johnson
allegedly shot and killed a 25-year-old man in New York City on June 10.
The Suffolk County Police Department was able to
work with the NYPD to identify and apprehend Johnson within two days of the
alleged murder.
"He's
now facing murder charges in New York City in addition to being charged here as
a major narcotics trafficker,” says Sini.
Sini says
they have video evidence showing Johnson continuing to sell narcotics even
after the murder. He says Johnson oversaw a one-stop shop delivery service and
would personally drive products to buyers’ houses.
His co-conspirators are each alleged to have
assisted Johnson in some capacity.
Officials say they seized nearly 6 kilograms of narcotics in
three cars, including Johnson’s, and in four residents' homes.
The district attorney says the narcotics seized have a
street value of $500,000.
The suspect was indicted in New York for murder in the second
degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree. He was
arraigned on the charges on June 28 and was remanded without bail.
Today, he was arraigned on the drug ring
indictment.
Johnson faces a maximum prison sentence of 25 years to life
if convicted on the charges. He also faces a maximum sentence of 25 to life for
the charges in Suffolk County.
He is currently being held on a $1 million bail or $2 million
bond.
The suspect is due back in court on Sept. 14.