Cops: 2 arrested in Massapequa drug bust

Two men were arrested Thursday night during a drug bust in Massapequa that resulted in subsequent searches of the suspects' residences by investigators who recovered marijuana, cocaine and painkillers, police said.

Arrested between 7:30 and 8 p.m. were John Barbato, 22, of 67 Carman Mill Rd., Massapequa, and Edward Stromski, 25, of 17 Plitt Ave., in Farmingdale. Nassau County police said that, during the deal at the Massapequa home leading to the arrests, Stromski sold marijuana to Barbato -- and Barbato sold him cocaine.

Police said a search later recovered marijuana and cocaine from a 1998 Jeep driven to the scene by Stromski, while a search of his home led to the recovery of pot and Oxycodone pills. A search of Barbato's home found marijuana and cocaine, according to police.

Stromski was charged with third-degree criminal sale of marijuana, second-degree criminal possession of marijuana and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Barbato was charged with third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Both are scheduled for arraignment Friday in First District Court in Central Islip.