A months-long federal and regional drug investigation targeting commercial-level fentanyl and methamphetamine distribution in Madras came to a head Wednesday evening, resulting in seven arrests, a police chase that ended in a PIT maneuver, and a search warrant served at a home on Southeast Grizzly Road.

The Central Oregon Drug Enforcement team (CODE) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) spent months building a case against two Madras residents: Elizabeth Ann Chavez, 40, and Brent Lee Waldorf, 35, both suspected of dealing commercial amounts of fentanyl and methamphetamine throughout Central Oregon, according to investigators.

The Chase

On Wednesday evening, a Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputy attempted to pull over a blue Chevrolet Malibu near U.S. Highway 97 and Northeast Elm in Madras at approximately 8:30 p.m. Waldorf and two other occupants were inside the vehicle, which fled from officers.

After traveling roughly two miles, law enforcement used a PIT maneuver to stop the car. Waldorf, seated in the back passenger seat, was charged with possession of a commercial amount of suspected fentanyl.

The driver, Nicholas Speck, 40, of Redmond, faces charges of attempting to elude police, reckless driving and endangering, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. A passenger, Andrew Jones, 39, of Bend, was taken into custody for a probation violation.

The Home Search

Simultaneously, CODE detectives and Madras Police were watching a residence on the 400 block of Southeast Grizzly Road. Agents observed multiple individuals leave the home in a vehicle, which was then pulled over. Chavez fled on foot but was arrested nearby and charged with unlawful possession and delivery of methamphetamine and escape in the third degree.

Another occupant of that vehicle, Kenneth Crutcher, 48, of Redmond, was wanted on an existing warrant and was also found to be carrying a taser. He was charged with being a felon in possession of a weapon and a parole violation.

Inside the Southeast Grizzly Road residence, officers found nine additional individuals. Among them, Jeremy Wisely, 42, of Madras, was charged with a probation violation. Victor Chavez, 49, of Madras, also faced charges.

A Collaborative Investigation

CODE is a regional task force that includes investigators from the Madras Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Bend and Redmond Police Departments, Warm Springs Tribal Police, Oregon State Police, and federal partners including the DEA and FBI. The Madras operation underscores the task force’s reach into rural Central Oregon communities.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Madras Police Department assisted CODE and the DEA in carrying out Wednesday’s operation.