OC Drug Crackdown Nets Arrests

OCEAN CITY - Ocean City police this week reported the ongoing undercover drug reverse "buy/bust" operations are achieving the desired results with roughly six incidents resulting in eight arrests over the last two weekends including one that might have prevented a serious robbery and assault.

The OCPD has been targeting sales of illegal narcotics in the resort, particularly in the Boardwalk area, with an aggressive undercover operation during which officers make contact with suspected dealers and arrange to buy, or even sell in some case, illegal narcotics. Throughout the early summer, the operation has been relatively successful in the stated goal of combating the behavior and helping to assure Ocean City is safe and free of drugs.

Three such operations were carried out on Friday, June 12, during which four suspects were arrested. In those cases, undercover narcotics officers approached individuals suspected of dealing on the Boardwalk and inquired about purchasing illegal drugs. Arrested during that operation were Demetrick Lamont Richardson, 19, of York, Pa.; David Lee Crosby, 18, of Arnold, Md.; Michael Bernard Code, 27, of Salisbury; and Cortney Jamal Young, 21, of Greenwood, Del. Each was charged with possession and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

The following night, Saturday, June 13, narcotics detectives resumed their undercover operations on the Boardwalk. This time, one juvenile was arrested for possession and distribution of marijuana resulting in the recovery of 23 grams of the controlled dangerous substance. Also snared in the sting operation that night was Joshua Signore, 19, of Monroeville, Pa., who was charged with possession and distribution of marijuana.

On Sunday, June 14, OCPD narcotics detectives resumed their undercover drug buy operations on the Boardwalk. The officers made contact with a suspect later identified as Keir Andrew Christy, 20, of Lititz, Pa., and inquired about purchasing marijuana. Christy allegedly told police he had a friend, later identified as Kevin Ryan Gray, 19, of Trevose, Pa., who had a large amount of ecstasy he was selling. While Christy escorted the officers to meet with Gray, he informed the undercover detectives of his plan to rob Gray and steal his drugs and money. Christy went so far as to ask the undercover officers to assist him with the robbery and told the officers he was going to carry out his plan with or without their help, according to police reports.

Once the transaction was completed with Gray, the undercover officers arrested both Gray and Christy and charged them each with possession of CDS, distribution of CDS and conspiracy to distribute CDS. According to police reports, the operation was able to thwart a potentially serious assault on Gray by Christy. In addition, a total of 32 ecstasy pills, two Hydrocodone pills and over $200 in currency were seized during the operation.

Last Saturday, OCPD narcotics detectives resumed their undercover operations on the Boardwalk, this time employing a reverse "buy/bust" tactic. Instead of seeking to buy illegal drugs, the undercover cops offer counterfeit drugs, in this case marijuana, for sale. During this operation, the undercover narcotics officers were able to make two more arrests including Stephen Weaver, 18, of Pasadena, Md. along with a juvenile. Both were charged with possession of a non-controlled substance after purchasing the bogus marijuana from the undercover officers.

The OCPD took the occasion of its successful undercover operation to remind residents and visitors buying and selling illegal drugs on the Boardwalk, or anywhere else in Ocean City, is illegal and will not be tolerated. To that end, the OCPD has officers patrolling in uniform, undercover and in plainclothes capacities to combat the illegal behavior.