The discovery came during a Drug Enforcement Administration-led investigation that also involved the Florida Highway Patrol, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Customs.

Miami-based DEA spokesman Joe Kilmer would not say what authorities were searching for or what led them to the residence.

Lee County Animal Services workers rounded up about 20 game roosters that were shaved and prepared for fighting in pens behind a home at 6391 Westwood Acres Road, just off Buckingham Road. They were taken to the Animal Services building on Banner Drive.

Animal Services plans to petition the court for custody of the birds — some with visible scars — and 40 other roosters that were being prepared to fight, said Lance Raiche, an Animal Services investigator. The agency also will be preparing a report for the state attorney’s office, which will determine what charges, if any, should be filed in connection with the cockfighting.

Neighbors said a large bang went off about 10 a.m., followed by authorities searching the property.

Gene Shilharvey, 75, who lives across the street, pulled out of his driveway to see a line of law enforcement cars head down the gravel road. When he returned close to noon, he saw officials roaming around his neighbor’s property.

Officials notified Animal Services of the birds around 1 p.m. Raiche said the man who cares for the birds told him he does not own them. Raiche would not identify the caretaker or the birds’ owner.

Investigators also found gloves and other devices used to train roosters to fight, Animal Services director Scott Trebatoski said.

“It’s a big money sport,” he said.

Animal Services will return to the property today to check on other animals found there. Two ponies and a cow were in the front pasture, while dozens of other birds, such as turkeys, peacocks and chickens, roamed around the area behind the residence. Rabbits filled several cages. Most of the animals appeared well fed and cared for, Trebatoski said.

Source: http://www.news-press.com/news/local_state/040304raid.html

LEE COUNTY, March 3, 2004— Federal and local authorities busted an alleged cock fighting operation at a home in Buckingham on Wednesday. Now Lee County Animal Services must decide what will happen to the dozens of roosters found at the home. Officials with Animal Services say the sport is not only illegal, it's growing quickly in Lee County – and they plan to stop it.

Source:  http://www.nbc-2.com/News/stories/040303-cockfighting.shtml

DEA breaks up SWFL trafficking ring

NBC2 News Last updated: March 04, 2004 12:52 PM

LEE COUNTY, March 4, 2004 — What was initially identified as the break up of a cockfighting ring Wednesday was actually a U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency raid on Mexican drug traffickers in the Buckingham area of Lee County. Federal officials said Thursday the bust resulted from an investigation into a large scale marijuana and cocaine import and distribution ring operating between Southwest Florida and Brownsville, Texas.