Dix Hills Man Facing Drug Distribution Charges

A Dix Hills man will arraigned on Tuesday for his alleged role in what the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office is calling a lucrative marijuana and Ketamine trafficking operation.

Steven Polizzi, 52 of Dix Hills, is one of 13 men that were scheduled to appear before a judge in a Riverhead courtroom. He, along with his co-defendants are facing drug charges for their alleged role in selling marijuana, the district attorney’s office said.

The arrests come after a 10-month joint investigation by the D.A.’s office and the Suffolk County Police narcotics squad that used electronic surveillance and wiretaps, Suffolk D.A. Thomas Spota said.

Further details of the investigation will be unveiled by Spota at a press conference Tuesday afternoon in Riverhead

Spota said the west coast-to-Suffolk County marijuana delivery operation used cross-country drivers, or the services of a major overnight delivery company, to transport the marijuana to Long Island from growers in California and occasionally Oregon. 

The other major component of the alleged drug network focused on the monthly purchase from a website based in China of approximately two kilos of the club drug Ketamine, an animal tranquilizer. Narcotics detectives found the Ketamine was often resold to club-goers in Fire Island, Nassau County and New York City.

Spota said the investigation established the marijuana ring was allegedly run by Neil Singer, 47, of Manhattan. Also arrested was ex-New York City Police Officer Keith Klouda, 37, of Miller Place; Wayne Percetti, 42, of Deer Park; and Scott Cicerone of Central Islip.

Names of the other defendants were not immediately made available by the district attorney’s office.