The Blue Mountain Enforcement Narcotics Team (BENT) was founded in 1986 by the Pendleton Police Department and the Oregon State Police. The Drug Task Force started with no official operating budget just the will, desire and fortitude of Pendleton Police Department Detective James “Jim” O’Grady and Oregon State Police Detective Mike Davis. Based on their experiences and recommendations the team grew in size with more participating agencies. The team has had numerous members come and go, but has remained a solid resource in the battle of narcotics trafficking.
The Blue Mountain Enforcement Narcotics Team has a long proud history, which contributed to the Office of National Drug Control Policy designating BENT as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking (HIDTA) task force in 2005. As a HIDTA task force, BENT's mission is to disrupt and/or dismantle mid to upper level drug trafficking organizations (DTO). BENT has received recognition as the "Western States (Washington, Oregon, California and Hawaii) Drug Task Force of the Year" twice in the last ten years.
BENT primarily operates in Eastern Oregon with focus on Umatilla and Morrow Counties.
BENT has participation from the following agencies and members:
Pendleton Police Department 1 Detective Sergeant ½ time & 1 Detective
Oregon State Police 1 Criminal Sergeant & 2 Detectives
Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office 1 Detective
Morrow County Sheriff’s Office 1 Detective
Milton-Freewater Police Department 1 Detective
Umatilla Tribal Police Department 1 Detective
Hermiston Police Department 1 Detective
Boardman Police Department 1 Detective
As time has progressed, so have the challenges with new technologies and the criminal mindset. Even though BENT focuses on Umatilla and Morrow counties, drugs and illegal activity do not respect nor stop at jurisdictional lines. BENT all too often finds themselves traveling all over the States of Oregon, Washington, California and Idaho with information sharing, and criminal ties to other states within the United States, Canada, Mexico and other foreign countries.
If you have information on narcotics use, drug trafficking or just questions or concerns you can reach Detective Jeremy Fye at 541-481-6071 or email at fyej [at] cityofboardman.com