Medford, OR – In a major operation, the Medford Area Drug and Gang Enforcement (MADGE) team has seized nearly 40 pounds of methamphetamine, along with firearms and other narcotics, following two significant investigations. The busts are being hailed as a blow to drug trafficking in the Rogue Valley.
Major Drug Seizure and Arrests
According to the Medford Police Department, a five-month investigation led to the arrest of 44-year-old Christopher Boyd Stevenson at his Ashland home. Authorities executed a search warrant and discovered more than five pounds of methamphetamine, three ounces of cocaine, and five firearms. Stevenson, a convicted felon, was taken into custody on drug possession and firearm charges.
Second Major Bust on August 12
On August 12, investigators stopped 45-year-old Juan Flores-Gutierrez, who was driving a vehicle in Medford. The stop reportedly resulted in the discovery of two pounds of methamphetamine. A subsequent search of Flores-Gutierrez’s Medford residence uncovered an additional 32 pounds of methamphetamine. This arrest is part of a multi-year investigation into drug trafficking between Southern California and Southern Oregon.
MADGE Task Force and Continued Efforts
The MADGE task force, which includes members from the Medford Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, Homeland Security Investigations, and the FBI, continues to target drug trafficking operations in the area. This recent crackdown is seen as a significant blow to the drug distribution network in the region.
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