Authorities seized 156 dogs and arrested several men accused of fighting dogs and betting hundreds of thousands of dollars on fights, many of which ended in the dogs’ death or serious injury.

The Tuesday arrests included eight men accused of being involved with dog fights and two others accused of selling cocaine, crack, and heroin.

• Lewis Edmond Andrews Jr., 41, of Maple Hill was charged with conspiracy to violate the animal welfare act; conspiracy to possess with the intention to distribute cocaine, crack, and heroin; attending an animal fighting venture; possessing, training, transporting and delivering animals in an animal fighting venture; distributing 28 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of crack and cocaine; distributing a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of crack and cocaine; and distributing a quantity of heroin.

• Ronnie Jeremy Thompson, 39, of Jacksonville was charged with conspiracy to violate the animal welfare act; attending an animal fighting venture; sponsoring and exhibiting animals in an animal fighting venture; and possessing, training, transporting and delivering animals in an animal fighting venture.

• Mark Anthony West, 52, of Jacksonville was charged with conspiracy to violate the animal welfare act; distributing crack within 1,000 feet of Jacksonville High School; possessing, training, transporting and delivering animals in an animal fighting venture; and attending an animal fighting venture.

• Leo Chadwick, 63, of Hubert was charged with conspiracy to violate the animal welfare act; possessing, training, transporting and delivering animals in an animal fighting venture; and attending an animal fighting venture.

• Aaron “Jit” Richardson, 41, of Jacksonville was charged with conspiracy to violate the animal welfare act; attending an animal fighting venture; and possessing, training, transporting and delivering animals in an animal fighting venture.

• Cedric Gerard Cook, 38, of Fayetteville was charged with conspiracy to violate the animal welfare act and attending an animal fighting venture.

• James David Martin, 38, of Maple Hill was charged with conspiracy to violate the animal welfare act and attending an animal fighting venture.

• James Leslie Golden II, 46, of Ayden was charged with attending an animal fighting venture.

• Randall “Slim” Jacob James, 32, of Maple Hill was charged with conspiracy to possess with the intention to distribute cocaine, crack, and heroin; and distributing 28 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of crack and cocaine.

• William “Bo” Jay Farrior, 36, of Maple Hill was charged with conspiracy to possess with the intention to distribute cocaine, crack, and heroin; distributing 28 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of crack and cocaine; and distributing a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of crack and cocaine.

The eight men are accused of conducting and attending the fights since October 2015 in eastern North Carolina, according to the indictment.

The indictment listed a number of specific dates of the men’s alleged involvement.

On Dec. 17, 2015, Andrews and Cook allegedly met to discuss dog fighting, breeding and conditioning before weighing a Pit Bull-type dog from a strap attached to the ceiling in preparation of a fight, according to the indictment.

On Dec. 19, 2015, Martin is accused of hosting a dog fight in Richlands after being paid by Andrews to do so, according to the indictment. Andrews, Cook, Golden and others are accused of constructing the fighting pit used. Andrews allegedly bet $1,000 on his Pit Bull-type dog Blondie in the fight as Blondie allegedly fought a dog from New York, according to the indictment. Blondie won and the owners of the losing dog used a gun and shovel to kill and bury the dog.

On Jan. 2, Thompson allegedly used a Pit Bull-type dog named Preacher in a “champion” fight, meaning the dogs involved had each won at least three previous fights, according to the indictment. Thompson allegedly bet $30,000 on the fight between Preacher and another dog named Pee Wee. Preacher won the fight, according to the indictment, and Pee Wee died as a result of his injuries. On the same day, Andrews is accused of meeting with an unknown person to sell a dog for $5,000.

On Feb. 6, the indictment states Chadwick allegedly had 30 Pit Bull-type dogs on his property that he was training and conditioning for fights using a treadmill and a “flirt pole,” which is used to condition dogs to chase a fast-moving lure.

Chadwick, Thompson and West allegedly took a Pit Bull-type dog named Nancy to Harrellsville for a fight, according to the indictment. Nancy won the fight while her opponent, Zelda, was hurt badly.

On Feb. 18, the N.C. Highway Patrol pulled over a Kia minivan allegedly occupied by Richardson, Andrews and an unnamed female who were traveling from Oklahoma after buying Pit Bull-type dogs, according to the indictment. Several dogs were allegedly in crates in the back of the vehicle.

On March 12, Thompson and Chadwick are accused of taking a Pit Bull-type dog named Uno to Halifax for a fight, according to the indictment. Chadwick allegedly placed a bet on the fight for West. Uno was allegedly pitted against Half Face, according to the indictment, and Uno lost.

Numerous Pit Bull-type dogs were found on a property owned by Andrews in October and November 2015, according to the indictment.

On Oct. 12, 15-to-20 Pit Bull-type dogs were found on property allegedly occupied by Thompson and Richardson, according to the indictment. Treadmills and dog medications, like steroids, were also found on the property.

On Oct. 13, approximately 15 Pit Bull-type dogs, many malnourished, and dog fighting paraphernalia were allegedly found on property owned by Chadwick, according to the indictment.

On Oct. 23, approximately 31 Pit Bull-type dogs and dog fighting paraphernalia, including a treadmill, were allegedly found on property owned by Andrews, according to the indictment.

In addition to dog fighting, Andrews is accused of having at least 28 grams of a mixture containing crack and cocaine, according to the indictment. Farrior and James were accused of having at least 28 grams of a mixture containing crack and cocaine.

The men accused of involvement in the dog fights are required to forfeit any animals involved with the offenses and any land or property is subject to forfeiture, according to the indictment.

Search warrants covered four properties where dogs used for fights and dog fighting paraphernalia was suspected to be, according to the release, and approximately 156 dogs were seized and are now being cared for by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Don Connelly, the public information officer for the Eastern District of N.C., said he was unable to comment more about the case, including how many dogs died as a result of the fights, if there is a potential for additional charges against the men or additional people charges, and how authorities became involved.

Connelly was also unable to comment on the types of injuries or how many recovered dogs were injured.

The dogs are currently in a temporary, undisclosed location, according to the release.

The Onslow County Sheriff’s Office, Jacksonville Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation were involved in the investigation.