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Monkeys, machine guns and meth? It sounds like the set-up for a punchline but it’s actually the setting of a massive Oregon safari park raid. And what Brandon, Oregon authorities found is no joke.
The May 15-18 raid of West Coast Game Park Safari uncovered 44 firearms, eight grams of cocaine and about $1.6 million in cashier’s checks, certificates, bonds and cash. This discovery has led to the arrest of the park’s owner, 52-year-old Brian Tenney, and the permanent closure of the attraction.
It’s also caused a significant disruption in the drug trafficking trade on the Pacific Coast.
Established in 1968, West Coast Park Safari had become one of the country’s largest wild animal petting parks. It offered a walk-through safari experience and petting zoo, featuring endangered species such as a snow leopard. In recent years though, the location has been under scrutiny for possible animal mistreatment and lack of compliance to industry regulations.
In December of 2024 several animals were found to be underfed and their enclosures unkempt. Then in January of 2025 another inspection revealed several issues with the storage of deceased animals, along with inaccurate records for animal acquisitions and dispositions. These findings were the latest in a history of violations stretching back to 2016.
These repeated offenses culminated in an initial search on May 15, which was executed by the Oregon State Police in coordination with local and federal agencies. Along with seizing and relocating 310 animals, authorities discovered 80 grams of methamphetamine.
Obtaining another search warrant after this find, authorities uncovered the additional contraband and arrested Tenney on charges of drug possession, attempted distribution and drug manufacturing. The initial 80 grams of meth they discovered have a total street value ranging from $800-$32,000, and the eight grams of cocaine could fetch between $480 and $1,600.
The Oregon safari park raid is only the latest in a string of arrests spanning the United States and resulting in hundreds of arrests and millions of dollars worth of drugs kept off the streets.
Authorities have placed Tenney in the Coos County Jail, and the investigation is ongoing. Meanwhile the more than 300 animals once housed at the park have been safely relocated to accredited animal sanctuaries and rescue facilities.
