Former NYPD Officer, Wife Sold Drugs Out Of Their Nassau Home: PD

A North Merrick couple was arrested Tuesday evening after police say they found large quantities of drugs and cash at their home.

According to police, officers conducted a probation check of the Meadowbrook Road home of Kenneth and Faith Riggio. While conducting the search, police say they found more than 200 oxycodone tablets, numerous Xanax tablets, eight clear bags containing what police believe to be cocaine and a switchblade knife. Both Kenneth, 59, and Faith, 53, were placed under arrest.

During a further search of the home, police say they found $146,000 in cash and a powdery substance believed to be heroin, as well as an $85,000 cashier's check.

The Riggio's home is located across the street from the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District's administrative building, a daycare center and the district's alternative high school.

At a press conference Thursday morning, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran said it was tips from the community about cars coming and going from the house at all hours that sparked the investigation. The Riggios were selling drugs out of their home, police say.

The police department worked with the probation department to conduct an unscheduled check on Kenneth Riggio. When they entered, Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said that the probation officers saw drugs lying in plain view, and Riggio admitted they were his. The probation officers then contacted the district attorney's office to get a warrant, Ryder said, and a more complete search was conducted once the warrant was secured.

Kenneth Riggio is a former member of the NYPD, though he is currently unemployed. Ryder said he left the department in 1984 after serving only four years, but didn't know why he left. "He has an extensive background and arrest history, from drugs to DWI to assault," Ryder said.

Faith Riggio is a special education aide in the North Merrick School District. Superintendent Dr. Cynthia Seniuk said that Faith Riggio was placed on administrative leave after her arrest, pending the outcome of the investigation.

Kenneth Riggio is charged with three counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance with the intent to sell, one count of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, 11 counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Faith Riggio is charged with one count of fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. They are both scheduled to be arraigned in First District Court in Hemsptead Thursday.