A raid at a home southeast of Tucson revealed hundreds of roosters that investigators say could be part of a cockfighting ring. When Animal Cruelty Detectives followed a tip to a home near Ajo Way and Kinney Road, they found one dead rooster and two that were injured. They also found more than 350 roosters and chickens alive in cages.
Pima County Animal Care workers seized them and the Sheriff's Department is investigating whether charges should be filed against the owner of the birds. Investigators say they also found evidence of drug trafficking including marijuana residue, packaging and an underground tunnel that leads to three storage rooms.
All the roosters that were seized will be euthanized because investigators say they were too mean to be pets. The Humane Society will be adopting out about 30 of the hens and chicks. The others will be given to the 4H Clubs to be raised. Case UpdatesAn anonymous tip led Pima County authorities to what they believe is the base of a cockfighting ring.
Investigators raided a home southwest of Tucson Thursday and took hundreds of roosters.
The man who runs the place hasn't been charged but investigators say he's in a lot of trouble.
The sign outside the house says the place is for breeding purposes only, but the Sheriff's Department suspects there was a cockfighting operation going on behind the gate.
"This is a huge operation, we're talking 350 birds," said Pima County Sheriff's Deputy Dawn Hanke.
Pima County Animal Care workers went in early Thursday morning and removed the birds.
Officials at the Pima Animal Care Center say at least 224 aggressive roosters were euthanized at their facility Thursday.
The Sheriff's Department is investigating whether charges should be filed against the man who runs the place.
His attorney says his client is just a farmer trying to make a living, "Pima County goes out to his property grabs over three hundred chickens with as far as we can see, no cause whatsoever," said attorney, Tom Hartzell.
Investigators say they found one dead rooster and two that were hurt.
Pictures provided by the Sheriff's Department show what investigators say is evidence of drug trafficking including marijuana residue, packaging and an underground tunnel.
"I'm not aware of any marijuana that was found or anything that would substantiate this bare bones allegation of possible drug trafficking," said Hartzell.
Hartzell says the county now wants $165,000 from his client to get the birds back.
"Excuse me if I'm getting a bit agitated about this but it boggles my mind that law enforcement agents can swoop in, grab your livelihood, and say 'Well, if you give me five and a half, six years income as a bond, I'll let you argue why we should give them back,'" added Hartzell.
While the roosters were euthanized, a few dozen hens taken from the home have been taken in by the Humane Society of Southern Arizona.
Friday, the hens will be up for adoption at the Humane Society for $5.00 each. | Source: KVOA - June 22, 2007
Update posted on Jun 24, 2007 - 8:07PM |
An investigation into a suspected cockfighting ring led sheriff's deputies and detectives to a possible drug-trafficking operation on the Southwest Side.
Investigators finished collecting some 200 gamecocks and 150 hens and chicks Thursday, a sheriff's spokeswoman said.
When investigators began removing the birds Tuesday, they found traces of marijuana, drug packaging and a tunnel system leading to three underground storage rooms, spokeswoman Deputy Dawn Hanke said.
A caretaker believed to be an illegal immigrant was booked Tuesday into the Pima County Jail on suspicion of identity theft and false reporting to law enforcement, Hanke said. The Sheriff's Department identified him as Francisco Quijada Flores, 41. There had been no other arrests as of Thursday afternoon.
Officials guarded the property from Tuesday until the job was finished Thursday.
Investigators were led to the property by an anonymous tip that came through the Humane Society of Southern Arizona.
A search warrant for the property, in the 6100 block of West Golden Buckeye, allowed officials to look for antibiotics, syringes and transport cages, which they found, Hanke said.
Investigating further, she said, deputies noticed a strong smell of marijuana in one of the outbuildings.
After moving two bales of hay and a large piece of plywood, deputies discovered a tunnel that led to three storerooms, Hanke said.
Drug residue, packing paper and plastic wrap found there was evidence of a marijuana packaging operation, Hanke said.
A large, sparsely furnished house on the property, near West Ajo Highway and South Camino Verde, did not appear to be lived in.
The roosters' owner gave permission to have them destroyed through the Pima Animal Care Center.
About 30 hens and chicks were to be put up for adoption at the Humane Society and the rest were to go to a 4-H club, Hanke said. | Source: Tucson Citizen - June 22, 2007
Update posted on Jun 22, 2007 - 1:54PM |
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