AUGUSTA, Maine — Thirteen new Maine Drug Enforcement agents were welcomed to the force on Monday, Department of Public Safety spokesman Stephen McCausland announced Tuesday.
The new agents were sworn in by Public Safety Commissioner John Morris, with Gov. Paul LePage and MDEA Director Roy McKinney looking on, McCausland said.
The swearing in of the agents, who were not named, brings the total number of MDEA agents statewide to 52. The agents come from five county sheriff’s departments, seven police departments and the U.S. Border Patrol.
McKinney said at the ceremony the support from sheriffs and police chiefs to assign officers to the MDEA is gratifying as agents continue to combat Maine’s increased drug problem.
Two of the agents have been assigned to York County, three to Cumberland County, three to Augusta, two to Aroostook County and one apiece to Rockland, Bangor and Ellsworth.
The agents will go to work immediately.
