Latest news with #WestCoastGameParkSafari
The Independent
28-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
Oregon zoo owner is arrested on drug charges following police raid
Oregon police say they arrested a zoo owner on drug charges following a police raid at the facility earlier this month that resulted in drug seizures and hundreds of animals being relocated. The Coos County Sheriff's Office said Brian Tenney was arrested Tuesday on charges of methamphetamine possession, manufacturing and attempted distribution. He was released later Tuesday as the district attorney's office awaited more information, a Coos County Jail staff member said when reached by phone Wednesday morning. 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. Police said they found 80 grams of methamphetamine, 44 firearms, roughly 8 grams of cocaine and $1.6 million in cash, cashier's checks, bonds and certificates. 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
