Medford's streets are a little cleaner today after the Medford Area Drug and Gang Enforcement team (MADGE) made significant strides in their fight against narcotics. In recent operations, MADGE has reportedly confiscated nearly 40 pounds of methamphetamines, along with firearms and other controlled substances. These busts are part of ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking and associated criminal activity in the region.
The first case to highlight involved Christopher Boyd Stevenson, 44, who was arrested at his home on B Street in Ashland after a 5-month investigation led by MADGE detectives. A search warrant executed at Stevenson's residence allowed officers to seize over five pounds of methamphetamine, five firearms, and three ounces of cocaine. According to a statement made by the City of Medford's official website, Stevenson, a convicted felon, has been taken into custody facing drug possession and firearms-related charges.
Another significant operation concluded on August 12, when MADGE investigators pulled over 45-year-old Juan Flores-Gutierrez. The traffic stop quickly turned into an opportunity to fundamentally disrupt a drug trafficking operation, as it led to the discovery of 2 pounds of methamphetamine. Subsequent searches of Flores-Gutierrez's property in the 1200-block of West 8th Street in Medford uncovered an additional 32 pounds of the drug. This arrest marked the culmination of a multi-year investigation into Flores-Gutierrez's drug trafficking activities from Southern California to Medford.
The MADGE team operates as a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force with the goal to systematically identify, disrupt, and dismantle drug trafficking organizations that may operate locally, interstate, or internationally. This task force leverages an intelligence-driven approach and draws support from various agencies, including the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations. The efforts of MADGE are bolstered by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program, an initiative sponsored by the Office of National Drug Control Policy to coordinate and fund multi-agency drug enforcement undertakings. The program's effectiveness is aided by participation from a range of local law enforcement entities and district attorneys, as noted in the City of Medford's announcement.
