50 Arrests Made As Part Of 'Large-Scale Criminal Investigation Operation' In Tolland, Official Says

TOLLAND, CT — Tolland Town Manager Brian J. Foley shared new details about a "large-scale criminal investigation operation involving the Connecticut State Police and the Connecticut Department of Agriculture" that took place in Tolland on Saturday.

In a social media post on Sunday morning Foley wrote, "Throughout the day and evening, I spoke directly with Commissioner Hurlburt of the Department of Agriculture and members of the Connecticut State Police command staff. The Tolland Fire Department also assisted with the operation.

"I want to thank the Connecticut State Police for their communication and notification shortly before the operation began. The State of Connecticut dedicated an incredible amount of resources to this investigation.

"What I can say this morning is that the operation was the result of intelligence gathering and an ongoing criminal investigation related to a large-scale “cockfighting” event being conducted at a dormant quarry off Mountain Spring Road in Tolland.

"The quarry has been inactive for more than a decade and is extremely secluded. There were a significant number of arrests, many of which were processed directly on scene.

"The Tolland Judicial District State’s Attorney’s Office was also present. I am told that 50 or more individuals were charged under Connecticut General Statutes §53-247. Significant evidence was recovered, and hundreds of birds were located on scene.

"I expect the State to release additional details in the coming days. While this type of event is shocking, yesterday’s operation demonstrated clearly that the Town of Tolland is not the place to attempt this type of criminal activity. Our law enforcement partners made that abundantly clear.

"Animal cruelty of this type or any kind will never be tolerated in the Town of Tolland.I thank everyone who assisted in yesterday’s operation. (these types of investigations are extremely rare, in 24 years in Harford and then three with the state I’ve only encountered this type of event twice)

"Also, the rumors about this being an ICE operation related to MS – 13 are false. Command staff from the state police said that ICE was not involved in their operation whatsoever," Foley concluded in his message to residents.