5 Charged In Long Island Narcotics Trafficking Operation: SCDA

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Five people were indicted in connection with a major Long Island narcotics trafficking operation, including a person facing a murder charge in New York City, Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy Sini and Suffolk police announced Thursday.

Robert C. Johnson, aka "Panama," 26, of Melville, was charged with operating as a major trafficker (a class A-I felony) in addition to several other charges.

"This is a long-term eavesdropping investigation which dismantled a large-scale narcotics distribution network and removed kilogram quantities of dangerous drugs, including fentanyl, heroin and crystal meth, from our communities, and placed a dangerous criminal behind bars," Sini said in news release.

"Johnson allegedly operated a one-stop-shop drug delivery service and would personally drive product to the houses of buyers or other resellers, including his co-defendants in this indictment," Sini said. "During the course of the investigation, he allegedly shot and killed a victim in Manhattan, but continued to conduct this illicit drug operation in the days that followed. It was business as usual for him."

Johnson was also charged with four counts of first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (A-I felony); second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (A-II felony); five counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (B felony); five counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance (B felony); second-degree conspiracy (B felony); fifth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance (D felony); and second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia (class A misdemeanor).

Andrew Hobson, aka "Kane," 29, of West Babylon, was charged with two counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance (B felony) and second-degree conspiracy (B felony).

Dina M. Cacace, 24, of North Babylon, was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (class A-II felony); third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (B felony); and second-degree conspiracy (B felony).

Ryan Sean Mahon, 38, of Northport, was charged with second-degree conspiracy (B felony).

Michael J. Verrelli, 48, of Medford, was charged with second-degree conspiracy (B felony).

An investigation was launched in April 2020 into narcotics trafficking by Johnson and his associates, officials said. Physical and electronic surveillance, as well as court-authorized eavesdropping, were used by authorities.

Evidence was found that Johnson and his co-defendants were involved in the sale of numerous narcotics, including heroin, fentanyl, crystal meth and cocaine, throughout Suffolk and Nassau counties, officials said.

Search warrants were executed at four homes in West Babylon, North Babylon, Melville and Great Neck and on three vehicles on June 12, officials said. More than 5.7 kilograms of narcotics were seized, including 2,750 grams of fentanyl pills pressed as counterfeit oxycodone; 1,798 grams of heroin; 794 grams of crystal meth; 210 grams of powder cocaine; 178 grams of crack cocaine; and 43 grams of Xanax, as well as approximately $140,000 in cash, authorities said.

"The actions of these five individuals directly put the lives of countless Suffolk County residents at risk by exposing them to addictive narcotic drugs," Acting Police Commissioner Stuart Cameron said. "The investigation and subsequent arrests of these criminals highlight the SCPD’s determination to dissolve narcotics trafficking and combat the threat these drugs pose to Suffolk County. I would like to thank the District Attorney’s Office for their continued partnership as well as the officers and detectives who worked diligently on this case."

Johnson was identified by the New York Police Department and Manhattan District Attorney’s Office as having been accused of shooting and killing Byron Morales, 25, of Brooklyn, in the Chelsea area of Manhattan on June 10, officials said.

Following Johnson's arrest in Suffolk County on June 12, he was transferred to NYPD custody. Johnson was indicted on charges of second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon by a New York County grand jury. He was arraigned on those charges on June 28 and remanded without bail.

Johnson was arraigned on the Suffolk County indictment Thursday, and bail was set at $1 million cash, $2 million bond, or $4 million partially secured bond. He is being represented by John LoTurco and is due back in court on Sept. 14.

If convicted of the top count, Johnson faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.

Hobson, Cacace, Mahon and Verrelli were arraigned on Monday and are all due back in court on Sept. 14. Hobson was released on supervised release with GPS monitoring and is being represented by Anthony LaPinta. Cacace was released on supervised release and is being represented by Steven Wilutis. Mahon was released on supervised release and is being represented by Christopher Brocato. Verrelli was released on his own recognizance and is being represented by Toni Marie Angeli.

If convicted of the top count, Hobson, Cacace, Mahon and Verrelli each face a maximum sentence of eight and one-third to 25 years in prison.