Coke Dealer’s Bad Deal: 45 Years in the Slammer

A Freeport man with a lengthy criminal record is facing up to 45 years behind bars after a Suffolk County jury convicted him of selling cocaine to an undercover detective during a month-long narcotics investigation.

Ishmel Owens, 34, was convicted Wednesday of three counts each of third-degree criminal sale and possession of a controlled substance, along with additional drug charges.

The case began in April 2025 after Suffolk County police received information that Owens was allegedly selling narcotics and launched an undercover operation. Prosecutors said Owens sold drugs to an undercover detective three times.

On April 24, Owens met the detective at the Lowe’s shopping center in Commack, where he sold 0.06 ounces of cocaine for $250.

Six days later, Owens met the same undercover detective at the Uncle Giuseppe’s shopping center in Melville, selling 0.13 ounces of cocaine for $350.

The third deal was arranged for May 30 at the Commack Lowe’s. Prosecutors said the detective agreed to buy two “8-balls” of cocaine for $400.

But Owens allegedly delivered just 0.125 ounces — and the detective discovered it was crack cocaine rather than the powder cocaine he had requested. The detective texted Owens demanding he return and fix the deal. Owens agreed, prosecutors said, but never showed up.

Owens was arrested Jan. 14 in Inwood, Nassau County.

The conviction marks Owens’ fourth felony conviction since 2010. His previous record includes convictions for first-degree robbery, second-degree burglary and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, as well as misdemeanor convictions for possession of stolen property and petit larceny.

“Drug sales are never a victimless crime; they fuel violence, addiction and instability in every corner of our community,” Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said.

Owens is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 21 before Supreme Court Justice Timothy Mazzei. He faces up to 45 years in prison and is represented by the Legal Aid Society.