Holly Fournier

The Detroit News

Around 50 people face deportation hearings after they were busted Saturday inside an abandoned building in southwest Detroit that allegedly hosted a cockfighting ring and illegal gambling, according to federal officials.

One additional person was arrested on criminal charges and around 100 birds were rescued during the 1 p.m. raid on the 1200 block of Green, near Interstate 75 and Springwells, said Khaalid Walls, spokesman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

More than 80 people were found inside the building when authorities arrived.

The man's criminal charges were not immediately available Monday morning. More criminal charges could be leveled against others linked to the ring, Walls said.

"This operation was taken down because we had information that it was a nuisance in the community," said Walls, adding that the raid followed "several months" of investigation. "The criminal investigation is ongoing. It's being led by ICE Homeland Security Investigations."

More than 140 law enforcement personnel participated in the raid, Walls said. The officers hailed from Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Border Patrol, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General, IRS, Michigan State Police, Detroit Police Department and Trenton Police Department.

hfournier@detroitnews.com

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