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.
A total of 100 people have been arrested, and 273 birds were euthanized as part of a large-scale "cockfighting" event in Tolland.
In a social media post Foley wrote, "What I can say this (Sunday) 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," Foley said.
"Animal cruelty of this type or any kind will never be tolerated in the Town of Tolland," Foley added. "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," Foley added.
New details were released on Monday
On Monday, state police shared new details about the arrests.
As a result of the search warrant execution, the Connecticut State Police made 100 in-custody arrests. Investigators seized approximately $90,000 in U.S. currency. The Connecticut Department of Agriculture located 273 birds on the property at 55 Mountain Spring Road. All 273 birds were euthanized due to their deteriorated conditions.
The homeowners of 55 Mountain Spring Road were arrested on the scene and identified as Elvin Miranda and Lisa Miranda, state police said. Lisa and Elvin Miranda were taken into custody and transported to Troop C, where they were processed and charged with cruelty to animals, professional gambling, operating a gambling premise, and risk of injury to a minor, and later released after posting a $250,000 bond.
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State Senator Jeff Gordon, (R-Woodstock), released the following statement:
“The reports coming out of Tolland this weekend are deeply disturbing, and I know many residents were shocked to learn about this large-scale criminal investigation involving alleged animal cruelty taking place in our community," Gordon said. "I want to thank the Connecticut State Police, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, the Tolland Fire Department, Federal Agencies, and everyone involved in this operation for their professionalism, coordination, and hard work. Their efforts helped ensure this situation was handled safely and effectively, and their actions sent a clear message that this kind of criminal activity will not be tolerated in Tolland or anywhere in our state."
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