A six-week enforcement operation targeting illegal cockfighting in rural areas throughout San Bernardino County resulted in 56 arrests, as well as the seizure of 3,500 roosters, authorities said Tuesday.
“Operation Crowing Rooster” consisted of 26 search warrants served throughout the region place between June 14 and Aug. 1, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
“Investigators arrested 10 subjects for felony crimes, 46 subjects for misdemeanor crimes including animal cruelty, and relinquished 3500 cock fighting birds to Animal Care Services,” according to a sheriff’s department statement.
Also seized during the investigation was mroe than $259,000 in cash, 12 guns — including three unserialized “ghost guns,” 12 ounces of cocaine, 11.5 ounces of methamphetamine and 6 grams of fentanyl, officials said.
The operation was carried out by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Rural Crimes Task Force.
In addition to sheriff’s personnel, officials from San Bernardino County Probation, the San Bernardino County DIstrict Attorney’s Office and San Bernardino County Code Enforcement took part in the taske force, with helo from San Bernardino County Animal Care Services, Hesperia Animal Control, Hesperia Code Enforcement and Highland Code Enforcement.
The task force “focuses on all crimes in rural nature to include but not limited to animal cruelty, the theft of copper, fuel, heavy equipment, large animals, fencing, and cargo,” according to the statement.
Locations raided under Operation Crowing Rooster included:
Anyone with information can reach the Victor Valley Sheriff’s Station at (760) 552-6800, or Sheriff’s Dispatch at (760) 956-5001. Tips may also be provided anonymously to the We-Tip hotline at (800) 782-7463.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Dozens arrested, 3,500 roosters seized amid cockfighting crackdown in San Bernardino County
Reporting by Brian Day, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
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