U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other agencies, conducted a series of search warrants in Southern Mississippi on May 3. The operation targeted illegal immigration, cockfighting, and other related criminal activities.
The investigation was spearheaded by ICE’s Homeland Security Task Force and the Border Enforcement Security Task Force. It focused on various issues including animal fighting, gambling, illegal immigration, narcotics, and weapons offenses. Collaborating partners included ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the FBI.
Special agents and deportation officers from ICE Gulfport are currently working to identify all individuals involved in the case while reviewing their immigration records. The agency intends to pursue appropriate state or federal charges where applicable. Federal prosecutions will be handled by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi.
Eric DeLaune, ICE HSI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge, stated: “In addition to the acts of animal cruelty perpetrated by the operators and encouraged by the participants, underground gambling operations such as these often have ties to other significant crimes including narcotics violations, money laundering, and acts of violence.”
Dax Roberson from the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Office of Inspector General commented on their commitment to addressing animal fighting activities alongside other serious offenses: “The Office of Inspector General is committed to working with all of our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners in pursuing individuals who choose to participate in animal fighting activities.”
Acting Southern District of Mississippi U.S. Attorney Patrick Lemon emphasized accountability for violators: “The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi is working with our law enforcement partners to ensure that those who violate our nation’s immigration, narcotics, and animal cruelty laws are held accountable.”
This initiative is part of Operation Take Back America which aims to combat illegal immigration and dismantle cartels as well as transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime perpetrators.
The public is reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
