Bust Bloody Bird Brawls In Woodhaven
Law enforcement agents raided locations in Woodhaven and Bushwick and arrested 70 individuals last Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 8-9, in one of the largest cockfighting stings in history, authorities announced.
While most of the suspects were freed on misdemeanor charges, six individuals were booked on felony charges for allegedly orchestrating the illegal rooster fights, which took place in the basement of a storefront located at 74-26 Jamaica Ave. Reportedly, the cellar was a haven for assorted illegal activity including unlawful alcohol sales, drug use and gambling on the cockfights.
The six were identified as Elisandy Gonzalez, 44, of Brooklyn; Orlando Bautista, 51, of Woodhaven; Francisco Suriel, 44, of Brooklyn; Noel Castillo, 66, of Brooklyn; Samuel Rodriguez, 46, of Bay Shore, L.I.; and Edward Medina, 41, of the Bronx.
As the Woodhaven sting took place, authorities also raided a pet shop located at 71 Central Ave. in Bushwick and arrested its owner- Jeremias Nieves, 74-for allegedly supplying many of the roosters used in the bloodsport.
Early on Sunday morning, investigators seized another 3,000 roosters from a farm in upstate Ulster County also connected to the cockfighting operation. The farm’s owner and a worker were taken into custody.
The sting was the result of “Operation Angry Birds,” conducted by the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force with the assistance of the New York State Police, Homeland Security Investigation and the ASPCA.
“Cockfighting is a cruel, abusive and barbaric practice that tortures animals, endangers the health and safety of the public and is known to facilitate other crimes,” Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman said. “This investigation-one of the largest in U.S. history-illustrates the prevalence of cockfighting in America, its brutal nature and the link to other illegal activities.”
According to information from the Attorney General’s office, the investigation started last March; information was gathered through a cooperating informant and video surveillance.
Reportedly, all of the roosters seized in Woodhaven and Bushwick appeared to have been bred and altered to compete in cockfights. In some instances, their owners injected them with steroids and other performance enhancing drugs so the birds could get an advantage over their opponents.
The Woodhaven cockfights reportedly took place on a bi-monthly basis. Authorities said many of the spectators wagered as the roosters fought each other to the death, with some wagers going as high as $10,000.
During each of the cockfights, investigators determined, spectators paid a cover charge to get in and an additional fee for a seat. They were frisked by security personnel, purportedly to ensure they were not in law enforcement.
Alcohol was illegally sold during each event and there was open drug use, it was noted.
The operators of the cockfighting ring reportedly went to great lengths to elude authorities, including employing counter-surveillance tactics in the neighborhood.
Approximately 65 roosters were seized from the Woodhaven location last Saturday night, and another 50 birds were recovered from the Pet NV shop owned by Nieves in Bushwick.
Investigators reportedly found the roosters in Bushwick to be kept in poor condition in individual metal cages. Various equipment used to alter the roosters-including artificial spurs, candle wax, syringes used to inject drugs and medical tape-were also recovered, law enforcement agents stated.
Those arrested on felony charges in the cockfighting sting each face maximum penalties of up to four years behind bars and a $25,000 fine. Spectators booked on misdemeanor charges may face up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine, it was noted.
Special Investigator Jose Rojas of the Organized Crime Task Force conducted the investigation under the supervision of Chief Dominick Zarrella and Deputy Chief Christopher Vasta.
Assistant Deputy Attorney General Diego Hernandez is prosecuting the case under the supervision of Deputy Attorney General Peri Alyse Kadanoff and Executive Deputy Attorney General for Criminal Justice Kelly Donovan.
Schneiderman encouraged New Yorkers who suspect potential animal fighting rings to call 1-866-697-3444 immediately.
