Around 20 people were arrested on the Mississippi Gulf Coast Saturday after a Homeland Security investigation uncovered a large cockfighting operation in the Lizana community.
According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials, an ICE Homeland Security Task Force and Border Enforcement Security Task Force carried out a search of the suspected area. Authorities reported that more than two dozen people were gathered in a barn surrounding a makeshift fighting arena. The cockfighting coliseum was apparently complete with multiple rows of seats for spectators and lined with plexiglass.
“In addition to the acts of animal cruelty perpetrated by the operators and encouraged by the participants, underground gambling operations such as these often have ties to other significant crimes including narcotics violations, money laundering, and acts of violence,” ICE HSI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Eric DeLaune said. “These crimes degrade the safety of our communities, and we are proud to be the ones stopping these illegal operations.”
Agents raided the property, spoiling what appeared to be a full schedule of bird brawls. Hundreds of chickens were apparently on site, equipped with “sharp, bladed spurs” for fighting purposes.
The large group of arrestees were handed an array of charges, along with some being illegal immigrants. Illegal guns and drugs were also seized during the raid.
