Two Anderson men arrested in Dorris opium bust

A pair of Anderson men were arrested on suspicion of drug possession Friday, Aug. 28, at a Dorris hotel after drug task force agents say they found them picking up a delivery of almost 2 pounds of opium concealed in hollowed-out broom handles.

Chiem Fin Saelee, 81, and Veurn Fey Saelee, 58, were being held at the Siskiyou County Jail on $100,000 bail each, said Ed Cameron, commander of the Siskiyou Countywide Interagency Narcotic Task Force.

U.S. Customs agents had intercepted a shipment of more than 900 grams - close to 2 pounds - of opium from Thailand that was headed to the Elm Motel in Dorris, Cameron said.

The opium was wrapped in cellophane and tucked into hollow handles of broomsticks that were mixed with baskets and bamboo items. The tarry opium had been stretched into cords before being tucked into the broomsticks, Cameron said.

"Almost like a licorice rope," he said.

Agents with the Siskiyou Countywide Interagency Narcotic Task Force then delivered the opium to the motel and waited to see who came to collect it. Chiem Fin Saelee and Veurn Fey Saelee were spotted picking up the container and opening it, Cameron said. Agents arrested them as the two men tried to load it into a Toyota pickup.