De QUEEN — Authorities say more than 100 people were taken into custody when dozens of law enforcement officers raided a suspected cockfighting operation in southwest Arkansas.
AGFC Officers assisted the Sevier County S.O., State Police, U.S. Forest Service, Border Patrol and I.C.E. on a warrant on a illegal cock fighting ring. Approximately 130 were arrested. #gamewarden @ARGameandFish @ARStatePolice pic.twitter.com/lqqvsrYkvM
— Greg Rae (@agfc_col_grae) March 19, 2018
The bust happened in Sevier County north of De Queen, about 125 miles southwest of Little Rock. Sevier County Sheriff Robert Gentry says authorities were tipped off that a cockfight would be held at that location, and officers from multiple law enforcement agencies participated in the raid.
Shreveport, Louisiana, television station KSLA reports that those taken into custody included spectators. Authorities say more than 200 live birds were seized in the raid.
Gentry says the investigation into the cockfighting ring was an 18-month operation.