43 arrested in connection to South Carolina cockfighting bust

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — Forty-three people were arrested in a South Carolina cockfighting bust, according to authorities.

Chesterfield County Sheriff Campbo Streater said they received a tip about the operation possibly going down just before noon Sunday.

Streater said deputies rescued 112 chickens, as well as elaborate equipment used in the operation. The birds are temporarily in the care of the Chesterfield County Animal Shelter.

Most of the people who were arrested are from out of state, Streater said, including some from as far as West Virginia.

It marks the second major cockfighting bust in the area within the past month.

In April, deputies arrested seven people in connection with a chicken fighting operation in Marlboro County. Streater said investigators are still gathering evidence and getting statements in the case.

Deputies had received numerous complaints in recent months about the illegal sale of narcotics and possible fighting of roosters.

Streater said the following is a breakdown of the most recent arrests and seizures:

• 33 people arrested for cockfighting
• 1 arrested for possession of a gun, one gun seized
• 1 person arrested for distribution of marijuana
• 7 arrested for possession of marijuana
• 1 arrested for possession of fentanyl
• 2 jars of moonshine seized
• 1 pickup truck seized
• 4 utility trailers seized
• 16 cars towed but not seized
• $13,533 cash seized