Cops: Pharmacist, 2 others, arrested in drug deal

A pharmacist engaged in a loud cell phone conversation while sitting in his car at a gas station in Plainview attracted the attention of some nearby detectives, who arrested the caller as well as two men who approached the car with money and drugs, Nassau police said.

Robert Ciskanik, 53, of Syosset, was sitting in his 2002 PT Cruiser at a Hess station on Old Country Road at about 3:45 p.m. Saturday when detectives who were at the station in an unmarked vehicle on an unrelated matter overheard him "loudly negotiating" a drug deal, police said.

The detectives, from the Bureau of Special Operations, then saw a man drive up in a 1994 Dodge Caravan and exchange money for a bag of pills from Ciskanik, police said. Both Ciskanik and the minivan driver, Hosam Karin, 57, of Freeport, were arrested. Ciskanik, who told police he was a pharmacist, was found to have over 400 oxycodone pills, while Karim had 15 Cialis pills, police said.

After the two were arrested, a third man arrived with a woman and went up to Ciskanik's car. Seeing police standing beside Ciskanik in his car, the man, Michael Lulo, 30, of Nesconset, became "agitated" and was investigated, police said. Lulo was found to hold oxycodone, methadone, and over $17,000 in cash, police said. Lulo was arrested, but the woman who drove him there was not.

Ciskanik was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminal diversion of a prescription. State records list Robert Ciskanik as a licensed pharmacist who is registered with the state through July 31.

Karim was charged with criminal diversion of a prescription, and Lulo was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and conspiracy.

Karim was released on an appearance ticket, while Ciskanik and Lulo were to be arraigned in First District Court in Hempstead Monday.