Evidence of Cockfighting Leads to 6 Arrests
Six men were arrested early Sunday morning after State Police said they discovered evidence that they were involved with cockfighting.
According to police, state troopers pulled over a Honda Odyssey on Route 290 in Worcester for speeding and committing a lane violation. After approaching the vehicle, police noticed a large amount of loose cash under the driver’s seat.
After the driver, Richard Diaz, 30, of Lawrence, and the owner of the vehicle, Yamil Maldonado, 28, of Lawrence, gave consent for the officers to search the vehicle, the troopers discovered four boxes in the back. Each box contained a live chicken that appeared to be groomed for fighting, according to the police statement. Troopers also discovered a garbage bag full of dead, shaved chickens hidden under the floorboards, paraphernalia related to cockfighting—including nail clippers, spurs, and liquid tape—and additional cash, totaling about $4,500.
Police arrested Diaz, Maladonado, as well as Jose Figueroa, 27, of Dorchester, Jose Vasquez, 34, of Lawrence, Helpis Rodriguez, 40, of Lawrence, and Damian Castillo, 34 of Nashua, New Hampshire. All were charged with cruelty to animals, possession of fighting animals, and conspiracy to commit a crime. Diaz will also be cited for the vehicle violations.
The live chickens were turned over to Worcester Animal Control and later euthanized, according to police.
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