Social Media Beach Party Tied to Drug Arrest

Ocean City, MD - Ocean City Police say a planned "takeover" event on social media led them straight to a drug bust. The investigation started with a tip about a late-night beach party and ended with an arrest just one day later. It's a good reminder of how closely local police are watching social media these days.

On June 17, OCPD's Special Enforcement Unit got a heads up from Baltimore City Police. The tip was about a "Late Night Beach Party Link Up" being promoted online. That kind of event is often linked to the growing trend of social media-driven "takeover" gatherings happening across the country.

The party was set for June 18, 2026 in Ocean City, Maryland. But detectives had already been keeping an eye on some of the people promoting it.

That's because of an earlier operation on June 16, 2026. OCPD and the Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team had helped the Maryland State Apprehension Team and U.S.

Marshals Service arrest a wanted woman in downtown Ocean City. The 21-year-old, from Frederick, Maryland, was taken into custody without incident on a warrant tied to a home invasion case.

During that same operation, detectives identified three other people connected to her. Two men, ages 18 and 20, and a 24-year-old woman, all from Baltimore, Maryland, were seen promoting upcoming takeover-style events in Ocean City, MD.

As detectives dug deeper, they learned one of those men, 20-year-old Mehkai Leonard Tindal of Baltimore, Maryland, was using social media for something else too. He was allegedly advertising the illegal sale of drugs right in Ocean City, MD.

Investigators used past interactions and surveillance to track down Tindal's vehicle and where he was staying, near 19th Street and Philadelphia Avenue.

On June 18, detectives set up an undercover drug buy with Tindal near 16th Street and Philadelphia Avenue. The buy went off without a hitch, and officers pulled him over and took him into custody.

A search warrant at the motel near 19th Street turned up more drugs and items used for distribution. Police also seized a vehicle that's now headed toward forfeiture proceedings.

Tindal was charged with distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance. He appeared before a Maryland District Court Commissioner and is being held on a $5,000 bond.

Chief Raymond J. Austin says this kind of quick response comes down to teamwork and staying ahead of the curve. "Public safety increasingly requires a proactive approach," said Chief Raymond J. Austin. "Working closely with our law enforcement partners, sharing information, and monitoring emerging activity on social media allows us to identify potential issues early and take action before they impact our community."

OCPD says these takeover-style events are becoming a bigger issue nationwide, and they want residents to help keep an eye out. If you spot social media posts promoting big gatherings or anything that seems off, they want to know about it.

You can reach the Tip Line at 410-520-5136, email crimetips@oceancitymd.gov, or call OCPD directly at 410-723-6610. As always, if you see something, say something.

Disclosure: All individuals mentioned in this article are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Eastern Shore Undercover® does not express or imply any opinion regarding the incident reported.