Latest news with #OregonStatePolice
CBS News
6 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Oregon zoo owner arrested after raid uncovered meth, cocaine, firearms and $1.6M
Police in Oregon have arrested a zoo owner on drug charges after a raid at the facility earlier this month resulted in the seizure of methamphetamine, cocaine, firearms and cash, as well as hundreds of animals being relocated. Brian Tenney, 52, was arrested Tuesday on charges of methamphetamine possession, manufacturing and attempted distribution, the Coos County Sheriff's Office said. Tenney was released later Tuesday as the district attorney's office awaited more information, a Coos County Jail staff member said when reached by The Associated Press via phone on Wednesday morning. It was unclear if Tenney had an attorney representing him. On May 15, authorities served multiple search warrants at West Coast Game Park Safari, near the small town of Bandon on the southern Oregon coast. The action followed an investigation into the facility, including inquiries into the animals' welfare, Oregon State Police said. Authorities said they found 80 grams of methamphetamine, 44 firearms — including one modified into a machine gun, approximately 8 grams of cocaine and $1.6 million in cash, cashier's checks, bonds and certificates. In this photo provided by the Oregon State Police, a lion is seen at the West Coast Game Park Safari near Bandon, Oregon, on May 15, 2025. Oregon State Police via AP Veterinarians and staff with the Oregon Humane Society and the state Departments of Wildlife and Agriculture responded to the scene to assess the animals' health, food quality, water supply, sanitation and enclosure conditions, authorities said. Police said 310 animals were relocated to animal sanctuaries or rescue facilities. After being evaluated by veterinarians, a camel, a chicken and a kinkajou were euthanized. The investigation is ongoing.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Oregon Coast safari park owner arrested after 44 guns, $1.6M cash, drugs found, police say
The owner of West Coast Game Park Safari, which was raided by law enforcement agencies May 15-18, was arrested May 27 on charges related to possession of drugs seized during the raid. Oregon State Police raided the Bandon facility along with local, state and federal agencies, executing multiple search warrants. They seized and relocated 310 animals to animal sanctuary and rescue facilities. The facility had been racking up violations since 2016 for offenses like a dead tiger kept in a freezer for months, animals found dead, sick, starving and never examined by a veterinarian, rotting food and rat droppings. The South Coast Interagency Narcotics Team participated in the search and found about 80 grams of methamphetamine, according to a Facebook post from the Coos County Sheriff's Office. A detective obtained an additional search warrant for evidence of controlled substance crimes at the same location, the post said. The additional search recovered 44 firearms, including one modified into a machine gun, about 8 grams of cocaine, and about $1.6 million in cash, cashier's checks, bonds and certificates, the post said. Bandon Police arrested the 52-year-old owner in connection with the narcotics investigation, the post said. He was taken to the Coos County Jail on charges of methamphetamine possession, manufacturing and attempted distribution. Court records showed no charges had been filed as of 4 p.m. May 27. Police said the investigation was ongoing. Isabel Funk covers breaking news and public safety for the Statesman Journal. Funk can be reached at ifunk@ or on X at @isabeldfunk This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon's West Coast Game Park Safari owner arrested on drug charges
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Yahoo
One dead, five hospitalized after two-car crash on Highway 26
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A woman was killed and five others hospitalized after a crash on Highway 26 near the Oregon Coast Saturday night. Just after 6 p.m., Oregon State Police troopers responded to reports of a two-vehicle crash at milepost 31 near Timber. McMinnville woman, dog killed after being hit by pickup truck Arriving at the scene, they found a westbound Toyota RAV4 had crossed the center line and crashed head-on into a Nissan Sentra. There were four people in the Nissan, officials said. The driver, Austin, Texas resident Bassam Moussan, 62, and two of the passengers, Matthew Moussan, 34, and Whitne Moussan, 30, were seriously injured and taken to a hospital. Matthew is from Vancouver, Wash. and Whitne from Davis, California. The third passenger, Michelle Moussan of Vancouver, died at the scene. She was 59. Burning car explodes, kills 1 in Lebanon, Oregon The SUV driver, Fred Camino, 64, and passenger Ann Martinez, 60 – both from Seattle – were also hospitalized with serious injuries. The cause of the crash is currently under investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
1 killed, 1 arrested after crash throws driver from pickup truck
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A man is facing DUII and other chargers after officials say he caused a crash that threw another driver from his truck and killed him late Wednesday night. Just after 10:30 p.m., Oregon State Police troopers responded to reports of a crash involving two vehicles on Highway 47, near milepost 22, just south of Forest Grove. Three teens arrested after Lane County double murder Early investigation revealed a van going northbound crossed the center line and sideswiped a pickup truck. The force of the crash caused the pickup to roll and also eject the driver, authorities said. The pickup driver, identified as 27-year-old Francisco Romero, was not wearing a seatbelt and was declared dead at the scene. Memorial Day weekend 2025 travel forecast: Rush expected for Oregonians driving, flying The van's driver, identified as 22-year-old Martin Santizo, and his passenger were uninjured. However, police determined driver impairment was the cause of the crash and Santizo was arrested for DUII, reckless driving, as well as criminally negligent homicide. He was lodged in the Washington County Jail. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Newsweek
21-05-2025
- Newsweek
Over 300 Animals Removed From US Safari After Decade of Red Flags
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Authorities seized more than 300 animals from the West Coast Game Park Safari in Bandon, Oregon, following a four-day investigation into animal care and welfare violations. Oregon State Police announced on Tuesday that officials, supported by local, state and federal agencies, removed 310 animals and relocated them to accredited sanctuaries and rescue facilities. A camel, a kinkajou and a chicken were euthanized due to their physical condition, OSP said in a news release. The park was closed pending further investigation. The Context PETA told Newsweek that it submitted multiple formal complaints to OSP about apparent animal neglect at West Coast Game Park Safari. In April, an inspector with the U.S. Department of Agriculture wrote that two older lions, male and female, and a black African leopard were seen with "decreased muscle mass with hips, ribs, and spine prominently displayed under the skin," Portland news station KATU reported. An Oregon State Police SWAT vehicle at West Coast Game Park Safari. An Oregon State Police SWAT vehicle at West Coast Game Park Safari. Oregon State Police What To Know PETA said it is calling for the shutdown of West Coast Game Park Safari. "After years of brazenly flouting bare minimum animal welfare laws, West Coast Game Park Safari must finally face up to the suffering it inflicted on scores of animals it kept confined in filthy, decrepit enclosures," PETA Foundation Senior Director of Captive Wildlife Debbie Metzler said in a statement to Newsweek. Animal Legal Defense Fund managing attorney Daniel Waltz told Newsweek that the roadside facility has been the subject of visitor complaints and findings of Animal Welfare Act violations for years. "It is very welcome to see the state police and other government officials investigating and working to rescue the animals from what appear to be horrific conditions," Waltz said. Years of Official Warnings USDA inspection reports dating back to 2015 cited the West Coast Game Park Safari for its animal care practices, including a lack of consistent daily health assessments, poor communication about animal health and facility conditions that did not meet federal standards. In March 2023, the park received a formal federal warning but continued to operate. By December 2024, inspections revealed that only one staff member was caring for more than 300 animals. The Seizure Operation The four-day operation led by Oregon State Police concluded on May 18. Officials from the Oregon Humane Society, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and other agencies evaluated every animal's physical condition, provided fresh feed, and ensured access to clean water. A diverse range of species were rescued, and the animals were sent to accredited animal sanctuaries and rescue facilities. No animals were released into the wild or left unattended. The West Coast Game Park Safari was not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, setting it apart from Oregon's three accredited zoos. What People Are Saying PETA Foundation Senior Director of Captive Wildlife Debbie Metzler, in a statement to Newsweek: "PETA is calling for this hellhole to be permanently shut down, the survivors to get the care they desperately need, and everyone to avoid roadside zoos as if lives depended on it, because they do." Oregon State Police trooper Kyle Kennedy told KATU: "For the Oregon State Police, it really started last fall. That took us some time to go through the investigation, really obtain the evidence needed to get to this operation." What Happens Next OSP said investigators are processing the evidence gathered during the property search. OSP told Newsweek that it does not have further information to release at this time. Do you have a story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@
