(Maybe we ought to have a few more ICE raids in Alabama.)
BLOUNT COUNTY, Ala. (WBMA) — Sixty people face charges after a crackdown on an illegal cockfighting exhibition in Blount County, Alabama over the weekend. Just 5 of those arrested are in the U.S. legally, according to a news release.
The June 14 raid was carried out by the Gulf of America Homeland Security Task Force, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
The multiagency team executed search warrants targeting the prohibition of animal fighting ventures, the presence of illegal aliens, and illegal gambling activities.
Among those arrested were 55 illegal aliens and five U.S. citizens. Authorities seized more than $100,000 in bulk currency and recovered two firearms. Five federal indictments are pending against the U.S. citizen organizers of the criminal operation, and four aliens have been charged with illegal reentry after deportation.
"This illegal cockfighting operation wasn’t just about animal cruelty — it was tied to a broader network of serious crimes, including illegal gambling, drug trafficking, and violent offenses," said Steven N. Schrank, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Georgia and Alabama. "These criminal enterprises endanger our communities, and HSI remains steadfast in its mission to disrupt and dismantle them. This operation underscores our commitment to public safety and the strength of our law enforcement partnerships."
Schrank explains that six special response SWAT teams and two helicopters were used in Saturday's raid in a wooded area of Blount County. He added there were over 250 birds at the location.
The operation was supported by a coalition of federal agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI, IRS, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and others.
No comments:
Post a Comment