SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - A 52-year-old man was arrested after authorities uncovered a suspected cockfighting operation with thousands of roosters on a 10-acre property in Southwest Miami-Dade.
Carlos Rafael Lezcano is facing several charges in connection with the investigation, including animal cruelty, tampering with physical evidence, resisting officers and fighting or baiting animals.
He stood before Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Mindy S. Glazer late Monday morning.
“You were arrested for one count of animal cruelty,” said Glazer.
During his court appearance, Lezcano shook his head to say no as prosecutors levied the accusations made against him.
The case began Saturday afternoon when the FBI searched the property, located along the 12200 block of Southwest 51st Street, as part of a separate investigation.
Federal agents discovered what appeared to be a cockfighting site and contacted the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office’s Organized Crime Bureau’s Vice and Intelligence Squad, according to an MDSO arrest report.
The arrest report states investigators “observed several thousand game fowl roosters, along with numerous enclosed cockfighting training rings. Additionally, several rooster paraphernalia including vitamins, syringes, medication and rooster agitators were observed.”
A judge approved a search warrant for the property later that evening as part of the animal cruelty investigation.
Detectives returned with Miami-Dade Animal Services shortly before 8 a.m. Sunday to execute the warrant.
7Skyforce captured MDAS officials removing dead birds.
While investigators searched an area containing approximately 100 individually housed roosters, a detective spotted two people who had breached the secured perimeter, according to the report.
The detective identified himself as law enforcement and repeatedly ordered the two to stop, but investigators said they ran away, jumped a fence and fled south from the property.
Deputies later spotted Lezcano walking at a nearby nursery along the 12400 block of Southwest 56th Street and took him into custody without incident.
Investigators said they discovered additional suspected cockfighting equipment, including used fighting spurs, rooster agitators, boxing gloves, a large training ring, syringes and medication.
Detectives also said they found other live animals, including 10 goats, two ponies and a lamb, all in critical condition.
7News cameras captured authorities removing live animals from the property after returning to the area Monday afternoon.
The South Florida Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said on Tuesday that all of the goats recovered were found emaciated, suffering from parasites and pneumonia. One of the goats died in transit to the hospital, while another had to be euthanized.
The SFSPCA also said the ponies showed signs of severe neglect.
The surviving animals are now being treated at an animal hospital in West Palm Beach.
Neighbors in the area are now on high alert as the investigation continues.
“I’m surprised, I’m surprised because this is a very quiet neighborhood,” said Bisley.
“Well, there’s been cops in the neighborhood for the past, probably, four or five days. Helicopters, as well, I saw yesterday,” said Gabrielle Delatour.
It remains unclear exactly how Lezcano may have been involved in the alleged cockfighting ring, as well as how this investigation originally came to light.
His arrest report shows he spoke with detectives after being taken into custody, but specific details on what was said have been redacted.
Lezcano has since bonded out of jail.
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