Eagle Point Police Joins Regional Drug Enforcement Task Force

Medford, Oregon- The City of Eagle Point has officially joined the Medford Area Drug and Gang Enforcement (MADGE) task force, a regional initiative focused on combatting drug-related crimes in Southern Oregon. Eagle Point’s Police Department will contribute a full-time investigator to the multi-jurisdictional team, which aims to enhance drug enforcement efforts across Jackson County.

Lieutenant Kerry Curtis of the Medford Police Department expressed enthusiasm about the partnership. “We are very excited to add the Eagle Point Police Department to our MADGE Task Force. Our team works throughout Jackson County, and with the addition of Eagle Point, it will continue to expand our knowledge of illicit drug activity in our community,” Curtis stated.

The collaboration comes as MADGE reports significant seizures for 2024. To date, the task force has confiscated 138 pounds of methamphetamine, 6 pounds of cocaine, 12 pounds of fentanyl pills, 4 pounds of fentanyl powder, 46 firearms, and over $90,000 in cash.

Eagle Point Police Chief Jim Hamilton highlighted the benefits of joining MADGE. “This is a great opportunity for our officers and will provide much-needed resources for dealing with narcotic activities within Eagle Point. We look forward to being part of this team and helping to address the drug abuse crisis plaguing our communities in Southern Oregon,” said Hamilton.

MADGE is a multi-agency narcotics task force that targets local, multi-state, and international drug trafficking organizations. It operates under an intelligence-driven approach and is supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program, sponsored by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). Current members of MADGE include the Medford Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the District Attorney’s Office, Parole and Probation, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).