FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: July 19th, 2024
Released by: Sergeant Kent Vander Kamp
Madras, OR –
A Madras man is now facing charges related to the trafficking of controlled substances after the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team executed a two search warrants in Jefferson County.
On July 19th, 2024, around 4:30 PM, the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team concluded a long-term investigation and surveillance operation with the apprehension of Christopher Crawford, a 34-year-old man from Madras, Oregon.
Christopher Crawford was identified by drug agents as a trafficker of fentanyl and methamphetamine in Jefferson County, Oregon. The initial investigation suggests that Mr. Crawford selling large quantities of fentanyl pills and methamphetamine from his home on the 200 block of SW “C” Street, within the city of Madras.
Following a multi-day surveillance operation, CODE Detectives, in collaboration with Central Oregon Emergency Response Team and the Jefferson County Sheriff deputies, intercepted Mr. Crawford while he was working in a Madras retail store. Minutes later, the CERT Team executed a search warrant at his home.
CODE detectives located Mr. Crawford's vehicle in front of a retail store as he was working. CODE narcotics detection K9 “Bonnie” was deployed and signaled her handler to the presence of a controlled substance within the Acura.
CODE Detectives successfully applied for and obtained a search warrant for Crawford’s Acura and home.
A subsequent search of Crawford, his home and Acura uncovered a commercial quantity of methamphetamine and counterfeit Oxycodone tablets containing fentanyl, powered fentanyl, a large amount of cash and several knives he is prohibited from carrying.
Mr. Crawford was lodged in the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Jail with the following charges.
Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine - Substantial Quantity
Unlawful Manufacture of Methamphetamine - Substantial Quantity
Unlawful Distribution of Methamphetamine - Substantial Quantity
Unlawful Possession of Fentanyl
Felon in Possession of a Restricted Weapon
Unlawful Possession and Attempted Distribution of Methamphetamine
Criminal complaints contain only charges; defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
CONTACT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Sgt. Kent Vander Kamp, 541-550-4869 or kentv@deschutes.org
The Central Oregon Drug Enforcement (CODE) team is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program and the following Central Oregon law enforcement agencies: Bend Police Department, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Redmond Police Department, Prineville Police Department, Crook County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Madras Police Department, Oregon State Police, Sunriver Police Department, Black Butte Police Department, United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Warm Springs Tribal Police Department, Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson County District Attorney’s, and the Oregon National Guard.
The CODE team is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force that identifies, disrupts, and dismantles local, multi-state, and international drug trafficking organizations using an intelligence-driven, multi-agency prosecutor-supported approach. CODE is supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) which is composed of members from the Oregon-Idaho HIDTA program.
The Oregon-Idaho HIDTA program is an Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) sponsored counterdrug grant program that coordinates with and provides funding resources to multi-agency drug enforcement initiatives, including the CODE.
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