Several people were arrested in a series of early morning raids in southwest Miami-Dade targeting a fuel theft ring that uncovered a marijuana grow house and cockfighting ring.
According to initial reports, the group is accused of illegally obtaining gasoline, then selling the stolen gas for a lower price at their home, located in the 12000 block of Southwest 46th Street.
Search warrants were executed at three separate locations, authorities said. At one location, investigators seized about 25 marijuana plants with a street value of $100,000, police said.
At another location, a cockfighting ring with a large amount of birds was discovered, police said. Animal Services officials said more than 100 roosters were found, with at least three in pretty bad shape.
"They did have blood on their faces, that's something that the veterinarians will look at," said Sean Gallagher, with Animal Services. "The three we did take obviously need immediate attention, that's why those were taken. As far as the rest of the animals that has yet to be determined."
The Miami-Dade Police Department raid started as early as 5 a.m. Thursday. State troopers, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and investigators with the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office participated in the operation, officials said.
Between three and five people are expected to be arrested and will face charges including organized fraud, obtaining fuel by fraud, cockfighting, animal cruelty and cultivating marijuana, police said.
This is a developing story and will be updated as new information becomes available.
