The Eastside Narcotics Task Force, a partnership of four cities and the county Sheriff’s Office, now includes the State Patrol as well. The Bellevue City Council on May 17 authorized expanding the interlocal agreement for the task force.

With members of the Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland and Mercer Island police forces, the ENTF targets drug dealers across city borders. An ENTF detective on loan to Immigration and Customs Enforcement enables the task force to investigate complex cases.

The ENTF’s successes include the discovery of major marijuana grow operations on Taylor Mountain last September in which more than 25,000 marijuana plants with a street value of $50 million were seized.