40 arrested in Texas cockfighting ring linked to alleged cocaine distributor

Antonio Amaya has been arrested by the Midland County Sheriff's Office as part of an alleged Texas cockfighting ring. (Source: Midland County Sheriff's Office) Antonio Amaya has been arrested by the Midland County Sheriff's Office as part of an alleged Texas cockfighting ring. (Source: Midland County Sheriff's Office) Photo: Midland County Sheriffs Offfice Photo: Midland County Sheriffs Offfice Image 1 of / 66 Caption Close 40 arrested in Texas cockfighting ring linked to alleged cocaine distributor 1 / 66 Back to Gallery

Sheriff's deputies arrested 40 people in a major bust of an alleged Texas cockfighting ring they say was run by a major cocaine distributor in the area.

The bust was made during a raid shortly before noon Jan. 23 on a home south of Midland, according to the Midland Reporter-Telegram.

There, officers recovered 30 live roosters, several dead birds, 46 ounces of cocaine, guns and about $32,000. Also found were rooster cages, as well as sharpened razor blades, or "gaffs," that are tied to roosters' feet to make their fights more brutal.

Photo: James Durbin Midland law enforcement professionals work a scene near the 2700...

Midland County Sheriff Gary Painter told the Reporter-Telegram that the alleged cockfighting ring was being operated by the homeowner, Lionel Garcia, 35, of Midland, whose wife owns the house.

Take a look at this: Cockfighting continues in underground rings in Texas and the U.S.

Painter called Garcia "a heavy cocaine distributor," according to the Reporter-Telegram, and said he and his wife charged spectators $20-$100 to watch cockfights and participants as much as $1,000 to enter four roosters into the fights. They also sold beer to spectators and were "known to have cocaine and large amounts of money at the cockfights," according to court records.

Photo: Midland County Sheriffs Office Razorblade rooster spurs, known as "gaffs," were seized during a...

Agencies participating in the bust included the Midland County Sheriff's Office, Ector County Sheriff's Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, Drug Enforcement Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.

Read the full story on the Midland Reporter-Telegram: Cockfighting event hosted by 'heavy cocaine distributor'