Mission of Maine Drug Enforcement Agency

 

Mission:  The Department of Public Safety’s Drug Enforcement Agency’s mission is to reduce the distribution, availability and use of illicit drugs through a collaborative statewide drug enforcement effort.  The MDEA serves the public with integrity and dedication through the effective and efficient management of resources.  

Philosophy:  We seek to have a drug-free Maine thereby improving the quality of life in our State through the ethical leadership and development of our employees, while upholding and respecting the constitutional rights of all people. 

Goals:  The MDEA’s goals are to: reduce the availability of illicit drugs; strengthen state drug law enforcement structure; protect the state’s borders by stemming the flow of drugs into and through Maine; strengthen intelligence and information sharing; enhance collaboration and coordination with all law enforcement agencies; and establish effective partnerships with the legislature and other state agencies.

Purpose:  The program’s purpose is to provide a central administrative structure for the establishment, coordination, and oversight of specialized narcotics and narcotic-related investigative units within the State of Maine through a multi-jurisdictional drug task force approach.  The task force concept brings together the resources of adjoining and overlapping enforcement activities, particularly in situations in which sparse resources are spread over great distances.  This approach has proven to be one of the most effective tools in proactively addressing the proliferation of illegal drug activity through the pooling of skills, enhanced intelligence sharing, increased personnel resources, more equipment available, concentration of effort on a clear goal, and reduced jurisdictional boundary problems. In addition to the consolidation of investigatory resources, the MDEA also integrates prosecuting personnel with the day-to-day case work investigators.

Organization:  Bureau structure providing for the multi-jurisdictional administrative function is comprised of three State employees – Director and two (2) secretary positions. 
45 law enforcement agencies participate in this collaborative drug enforcement effort.  Officers assigned to the MDEA have statewide authority.  The statewide effort is accomplish through eight (8) regional task force groups whose area of responsibility varies from one county to as many as four counties.  They are supported by an agent assigned to a central evidence / property management function, and the National Guard Counterdrug Program that provides 6 personnel for investigative case support to the MDEA.

The MDEA has two field divisions that are responsible for the investigation of drug distribution activity.  As of 31 December, the core of this effort is staffed by 40 sworn personnel comprised of 2 commanders, 8 task force supervisors and 33 task force investigators.  Both divisions are supported by a central evidence facility to which one agent is assigned

Division I is lead by a Commander (Maine State Police lieutenant equivalent) and 4 task force investigative supervisors (MSP sergeant equivalent) managing 19 task force investigators (MSP detective equivalent) responsible for operations south of Kennebec County to the New Hampshire border and coast with four regional task forces.  In addition, 8 departments assign officers part-time on a case-by-case basis to work jointly on drug enforcement operations of mutual interest.

Division II is lead by a Commander and 4 task force investigative supervisors managing 14 task force investigators responsible for operations north of Kennebec County the coast and Canadian border with four regional task forces.  In addition, 4 departments assign officers part-time on a case-by-case basis to work jointly on drug enforcement operations of mutual interest.

Program:  The MDEA’s mission is to disrupt the drug market, thereby undermining the ability of drug suppliers to meet, expand, and profit from drug demand while supporting prevention efforts and contributing to treatment efforts.  Its goals are to: reduce availability of drugs; protect the State’s borders by stemming the flow of drugs into and through Maine; strengthen the State’s drug law enforcement infrastructure; strengthen intelligence and information sharing; enhance collaboration and coordination with all law enforcement agencies; and establish effective partnerships within state government.