46 people arrested in Callosa cockfight raid

FORTY six people have been arrested after police raided property in Callosa de Segura where a cockfight was taking place.

The owners of the cocks would cut off the birds’ wattles and feed them amphetamines and caffeine, according to a National Police statement.

Promoters charged €10 admission to the cockfights where most bets ranged from €300 to €600.

The amounts were much higher in the so-called ‘million fights’ were bets of up to €10,000 a fight were placed.

Approximately a month police started to investigate several members of a group dedicated to the breeding and export of Spanish fighting cocks.

Although this practice is legal, they suspected cockfights were being organised in Callosa de Segura to which people from neighbouring provinces would travel for the fights.

Officers raided the property during one of these fights, arresting all 46 people, six of which are organisers of the fights.

During a search of the property, police seized €7,000 in cash, and several jars containing many legs of dead cocks which had been fitted with metal spurs (called gaffs).

They also seized two scales to weigh cocks, files to sharpen the cockspurs, and substances to enhance the birds’ aggressiveness, as well as various documents.

Cockfighting is banned in Spain except the Canary Islands and some parts of Andalucia, although the latter is regulated.

Ironically bullfighting is banned in the Canary Islands.

By John Jackson