Four arrested after alleged drug transaction in Merrick

Nassau County's Narcotics Squad arrested four people Wednesday in an alleged drug transaction in Merrick, police said.

Officers assigned to the Heroin Task Force said they saw what appeared to be a drug transaction at Sunrise Highway and Hewlett Avenue in Merrick at about 4:15 p.m. Police said tests are being conducted to determine the substance, but they were "pretty sure it was not heroin," a spokeswoman said.

After an investigation, police arrested:

Dominick Knee, 31, of 396 Merrick Rd., Apt. 1A, Rockville Centre, on charges of sale of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance.

Christian Smith, 19, of 2422 York St., East Meadow, on charges of two counts of possession of a controlled substance.

John Gibson Jr., 23, of 2293 Hewlett Ave., Merrick, on charges of possession of a controlled substance.

Robih Elkhatib, 22, of 20 Weaver Dr., Apt. 5B, Massapequa, on charges of possession of a controlled substance and aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle.

Knee was scheduled to be arraigned in First District Court in Hempstead on Wednesday and Elkhatib on Thursday. Smith and Gibson were issued desk appearance tickets for a future date.