Detectives say pharmacist, 2 other men in drug deal

A pharmacist engaged in a loud cell phone conversation while sitting in his car at a gas station in Plainview Saturday 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. when detectives who were at the station on an unrelated matter overheard him "loudly negotiating" a drug deal, police said.

The detectives, from the bureau of special operations officers, 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 there, 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.

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; 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 arranged in First District Court in Hempstead today.