JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. (KUSA) -- Two major criminal investigations are underway
and they could be connected, 9Wants to Know has learned.
One investigation involves drug trafficking, the other involves cockfighting.
The search for drug suspects led investigators to a house on the 6300
block of West Mississippi in Lakewood, where they found evidence of a
cockfighting ring.
A photo released by Jefferson County shows some of the 70 roosters
seized, which appear to be the type of bird commonly used for
cockfighting.
Deputies also seized what they describe as a cockfighting "training
ring," and gaffs, which are small spikes tied to a rooster's legs.
The roosters were located near a busy road and populated area, right next to a fire department substation.
Raymond Taylor said he heard the roosters next door to his automotive
business, but had no idea those roosters were part of a suspected
cockfighting ring, until an early morning raid last week.
"It was a bunch of cops going down there, picking up the cocks and
fighting roosters," Taylor said. "Nothing surprises me anymore."
Jefferson County Sheriff Ted Mink says a six-month investigation of
suspected drug traffickers called "Operation Blood Sport" led
investigators to the house where the roosters were seized.
"It didn't take long to put two and two together - that there may be
some illegal activity in the form of fighting those animals. There's
big money in that. There's big money bet at those cock fights. It's a
way to live a lifestyle that they have chosen, that is supported by the
importation of the drugs," Mink said.
The seized fighting roosters are being held in a secret location, to keep them from falling back into the wrong hands.
A 49 count First Judicial District criminal indictment names 16 people,
mostly US citizens, accused of driving cocaine and crystal meth from
California and Arizona and selling it in cities all over the metro area,
including Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, Wheat Ridge, and Edgewater.
Jefferson and Gilpin County District Attorney Scott Storey said the
indictments will help slow the flow of illegal drugs, which are creeping
into schools and neighborhoods, and falling into the hands of
teenagers.
"I think this is probably a drop in the bucket," Storey said. "And it certainly has an impact on all the citizens."
Photos from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) show an SUV
recently pulled over near Edgewater, full of secret compartments holding
a quarter million dollars in cocaine and crystal meth.
$28,000 in cash was wrapped and hidden in the SUV's bumper, and
investigators also seized four weapons from the vehicle, which was
stopped at the intersection of 26th and Sheridan.
DEA Denver Special Agent in Charge Barbra Roach says Denver is a drug
trafficking hub because of the interstates, and not all the drugs
brought here are distributed locally.
"Some of it stays, some of it goes. If it was all landing in our
general areas, we would probably be the walking dead," Roach said.
Six of the 16 suspected drug traffickers who were indicted are still on
the run and investigators say they could be hiding out anywhere.
Those six are identified as Francisco M. Barragan, Francisco Leon,
Homero Reynosa Cardenas, Jesse Rubio, Manuel Carrola-Hernandez, and
Oswaldo Rodriguez-Sanchez.
If you have any information on those six suspects, you're asked to call Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP.
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