Twenty-four people were arrested in connection with an illegal animal fighting ring on Friday, according to Tewksbury Police.
Police said they received a tip that several people were gambling on cockfighting at a home on Chandler Street. When officers arrived, they said they found a look out, motion sensor lights and video surveillance equipment outside the home.
After entering the home, police said they found 22 people participating in a cockfight. The gamecocks were allegedly wearing metal spurs, designed to inflict more damage. Several packages of spurs, four kits with tape and more than $13,000 in cash were allegedly recovered at the home. Police said 18 gamecocks were found in cages and 5 were injured.
The alleged leaders of the fights, 41-year-old Frank Castro of Dorchester and 40-year-old Janet Montanes of Tewksbury were arrested and charged with cruelty to animals, being present at an animal fight, and keeping or promoting an animal fight.
The following suspects were arrested and charged with cruelty to animals, and being present at an animal fight:
Cynthia Gonzalez, 41, of Lawrence
Armando Maciel, 55, of Merrimack
Vicente Sanchez, 31, of Lawrence
Naury Rojas, 28, of Lawrence
Itari Ribeiro Junior, 40, of Boylston
Luis Castillo, 27, of Lawrence
Ismeal Ortiz, 30, of Lawrence
Felix Maldonado, 40, of Salem NH
Angel Chinea, 32, of Lowell
Carlos Castillo, 30, of Lawrence
Angel Renta, 25, of Brookline
Joan Mireles, 36, of Lowell
Rafael Cardoso, 25, of Dracut
Yan Ramirez, 25, of Lawrence
Victor Rolon-Hernandez, 26, of Fitchburg
Jorge Martinez, 43, of Fitchburg
Juan Estevez, 47, of Lawrence
Victor De Los Santos, 50, of Lawrence
Richard Ramirez, 24, of Lawrence
Deyvi Martinez, 36, of Lawrence
Carlos De La Cruz, 30, of Lawrence
and Daury Medina, 30, of Methuen
All the suspects will be arraigned at Lowell District Court on Monday.
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