Connecticut State Police arrested 100 people Friday after officers descended on a rural Tolland property that investigators say hosted a large-scale cockfighting and illegal gambling operation.
Troopers arrived at 55 Mountain Spring Road around 1:29 p.m. to carry out a search and seizure warrant tied to what police described as a long-running investigation. In a media release, the agency said detectives had been examining reports of “illegal gambling and cockfighting events being hosted inside this residence,” according to a state police media release.
By the end of the operation, investigators reported recovering roughly $90,000 in cash from the property. The Connecticut Department of Agriculture also located 273 birds at the site. State police said all 273 birds were euthanized “due [to] their deteriorated conditions.”
The operation drew a major law enforcement response to the otherwise quiet and wooded neighborhood Friday afternoon. Police alerts and social media posts indicated Mountain Spring Road was temporarily shut down between Tolland Stage Road and Elizabeth Lane while officers secured the area and processed evidence.
Charges filed against homeowners in Tolland amid gambling and cockfight probe
Among those arrested were the property owners, Elvin Miranda, 59, and Lisa Miranda, 66. According to police, both were taken into custody at the scene before being transported to Troop C for processing.
Authorities charged the pair with cruelty to animals, professional gambling, operating a gambling premise and risk of injury to a minor. Police said each later posted a $250,000 cash or surety bond before being released. They are expected to appear June 18 in Rockville Superior Court.
Dozens of other people arrested during the raid came from Connecticut and several neighboring states, according to records released by state police. Bond amounts for those defendants ranged from $10,000 to $500,000. Court dates are scheduled throughout June in Rockville Superior Court.
State police said the investigation relied on assistance from multiple specialized units. Those included the Emergency Services Unit Tactical Team, Aviation Unit, Drone Unit, K9 Unit, Eastern District Major Crime unit and Intelligence Operations Unit. Troop C personnel also supported the raid and subsequent arrests.
Several outside agencies also assisted during the operation, including the Massachusetts State Police Special Tactical Operations Team, the Connecticut Department of Correction, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, the Tolland Fire Department and Tolland EMS. Prosecutors from the Office of the State’s Attorney for Rockville Superior Court also participated.
Authorities said the investigation has not been closed and additional investigative work is continuing.
“This operation sends a signal that if you engaged in staged animal fighting, you will jeopardize your freedom,” said Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action.
“Even in an isolated quarry far from public view, law enforcement tracked this criminal enterprise, dismantled it, and rescued hundreds of animals from horrific abuse.”
Featured image: CTPOLICELIVE via Facebook
The post Connecticut police raid Tolland property arresting 100 suspects in cockfighting gambling investigation appeared first on ReadWrite.
This articles is written by : Nermeen Nabil Khear Abdelmalak
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