Police bust pair after Thai opium is delivered in broomsticks to Dorris motel

DORRIS, Calif. -- Agents from the Siskiyou County-Wide Narcotic Task Force were assisted by the California Department of Justice, Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Department and California Highway Patrol in the service of a search warrant at the Elm Motel in Dorris, California.

Drug agents learned that a shipment of opium had been intercepted by U.S. Customs en route from Thailand on its way to the Elm Motel in Dorris on Highway 97, just south of the California Oregon border. The opium had been hidden in the hollow handles of broomsticks that were mixed in with baskets and bamboo items.

Drug agents took custody of the package and prepared to deliver it and make an arrest.

Motel tenants Veurn Fey Saelee and Chiem Fin Saelee were seen taking possession the container. They were attempting to load the opened container into their vehicle when a search warrant was served and they were arrested.

A total of 905.66 grams of opium was seized and Veurn Fey Saelee, 58, and Chiem Fin Saelee, 81, both of Anderson, Calif., were arrested and booked at the Siskiyou County Jail for possession of narcotics for sale. Both remain in custody with bail set at $100,000 each.

The California Attorney General's Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement operates 48 regional narcotic task forces statewide. SCINTF is a cooperative effort between the Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement, Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Department, Weed Police Department, Yreka Police Department, Mount Shasta Police Department, California Highway Patrol and Siskiyou County Probation Department.  The mission of SCINTF is to disrupt, dismantle, and diminish the flow of drugs and their proceeds in Siskiyou County.