Safari park raided: cops find lions, tigers, meth, and guns

Safari Park Raided: Cops Find Lions, Tigers, Meth, and Guns

Posted by
1 min read
May 31, 2025

BANDON, Ore. — A coordinated raid involving multiple law enforcement and state agencies led to the arrest of West Coast Game Park Safari owner Brian Tenney after authorities uncovered drugs, firearms, and millions in assets during searches this month.

The South Coast Interagency Narcotics Team (SCINT) executed multiple search warrants on May 15 at the wildlife facility near Bandon. Officers located approximately 80 grams of methamphetamine, which prompted an additional search warrant focused on controlled substance violations.

Authorities say the second warrant resulted in the seizure of 44 firearms, including one converted to a machine gun, about 8 grams of cocaine, and roughly $1.6 million in various financial forms, including cash, cashier’s checks, bonds, and certificates.

Tenney, 52, was arrested at approximately 9:15 a.m. on Tuesday by the Bandon Police Department, acting on a probable cause statement from the Coos County Sheriff’s Office. He was booked into Coos County Jail on charges of methamphetamine possession, manufacturing, and attempted distribution.

Photo: safari park raided: cops find lions, tigers, meth, and guns

The operation involved the Oregon State Police, Oregon Humane Society, Oregon Department of Agriculture, Internal Revenue Service, and Oregon Department of Justice. A photo released by the Oregon State Police shows a lion at the facility, one of more than 300 animals housed there.

Agencies continue probe into drug activity and animal welfare

The investigation remains active, and officials have not confirmed if additional charges related to animal welfare or firearm violations are expected. Law enforcement emphasized that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

No details have been released about the current condition or relocation status of the animals, although the Oregon Humane Society participated in the operation. State agricultural officials were also present during the raid.

“Police action is not indicative of guilt. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law,” the department noted.

Tenney’s arrest comes nearly two weeks after the initial raid. His connection to the seized assets and weapons is under review by investigators.

Authorities uncovered firearms, narcotics and millions in assets during a raid on an Oregon safari park.

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

Don't Miss

Exit mobile version