(AsiaGameHub) –   The Connecticut State Police took into custody more than 100 people this past Friday, all of whom are suspected of involvement in an illegal gambling operation tied to cockfighting.

Connecticut State Police Conducts One of Its Most Ambitious Crackdowns Against Illegal Gambling

Law enforcement raided a property at 55 Mountain Spring Road at 1:29 pm and took dozens of people into custody, including bettors, spectators, and the ring’s organizers. Officers seized up to $90,000 in cash from the site and found 273 birds at the location.

The birds ultimately had to be euthanized due to serious, life-threatening health conditions. Police have released details on arrestees and identified the property owners: Elvin Miranda, 59, and Lisa Miranda, 66. The pair now face a long list of criminal charges. Law enforcement was not the only party to praise the operation’s outcome; Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action, shared the following statement:

“This operation sends a clear message that anyone who participates in organized animal fighting will put their freedom at risk. Even in an isolated spot far from public view, law enforcement tracked down this criminal operation, dismantled it, and rescued hundreds of animals from terrible abuse.”

Charges filed against the pair at booking include animal cruelty, professional illegal gambling, operating an unlicensed gambling venue, and risk of injury to a minor. The two defendants have already posted $250,000 in cash or surety bond to secure their release, and are scheduled to appear at Rocksville Superior Court on June 18, 2026.

Multiple Defendants Identified, Released on Bail, and Scheduled for Court Dates Throughout June

The operation targeting the suspected illegal gambling venue involved multiple agencies under the Connecticut State Police umbrella, and was a tightly coordinated effort that included dozens of law enforcement officers.

Among the Connecticut State Police units that participated in the raid are the Emergency Services Unit Tactical Team, Aviation Unit, Drone Unit, K9 Unit, Eastern District Major Crime Unit, and Intelligence Operations Unit, alongside additional supporting personnel. Partner agencies that also joined the operation include the Massachusetts State Police Special Tactical Operations Team, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, and other groups.

However, the bail posted by the property owners is not the highest in the case. Multiple other arrested people have also posted bail, with amounts ranging from $10,000 to $500,000, and all are scheduled to appear in court at Rocksville Superior Court at various points throughout June.