42 people detained in connection to cockfight event

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Department busted a cockfighting event and detained more than 3 dozen people in Soledad.

According to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Department, they received information from a citizen regarding a planned cockfight event scheduled for Saturday at a home on Metz Road.

Deputies conducted a follow-up investigation and contacted SPCA who had prior contacts with the property owners.

The Sheriff’s Department said a California Highway Patrol helicopter assisted and determined the even was in fact taking place.

Sheriff’s deputies, Sheriff’s K-9 unit, CHP officers and SPCA officers arrived at the scene. Several suspects attempted to run but 42 suspects were detained, identified and released from the scene, according to deputies. Their information will be sent to the District Attorney’s office for prosecution.

The 59-year-old property owner, Gonzalo Manriquez, was cited and released for permitting cockfighting on the premises, according to sheriff’s deputies.

The SPCA conducted health and welfare checks on the birds. Forty-five birds were euthanized due to their injuries from the event, according to sheriff’s deputies.