Neighbor: Alleged Drug Kingpin A 'Good Person'

A daycare provider taking care of small children across the street from the hub of an alleged multi-million dollar drug operation said the "kingpin" of the ring was "a good person."

On Tuesday afternoon, the home of Robert Love, 58, who lived at 29 Oakland Drive South in Riverhead, was quiet. Roses bloomed on a fence outside and the house was silent.

But, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota, the modest blue house was the hub of a. Love and Bronx resident Miguel Matos were described as the "ringleaders" of a massive drug operation that trafficked up to three kilos of cocaine each week to the East End from the Bronx, with the drugs hidden in secret traps located in their cars.

Marie Futch, who lives directly across the street from Love, and is a day care provider, said she had no idea the man she considered "a good neighbor" was engaged in the drug trade.  "I had no idea," she said. "He always helped me. He was really good to me."

Futch said she had no idea any drug dealing was going on at the house. "He is just a good person," Futch said outside her home on Tuesday, standing near a backyard filled with toys and a basketball hoop. Futch said Love, whom she called "Boy," was kind to her -- she lives alone -- helping her to mow the grass, shovel snow, and fix her car.

Love, she said, also worked as a mechanic and was always outside fixing cars.

When police came to arrest him, Futch said they "tore up" the home where he lived with his wife Marilyn. "It's hard," she said. "I feel bad for his wife."