Iwade: Cock-Fighting Investigation At Farm

22 January 2014, 16:32

A fourth man has been arrested and bailed after police uncovered alleged evidence of illegal cock-fighting and animal cruelty at a farm.

Kent Police officers found up to 170 birds, including a number of dead cockerels with their combs removed, a suspected fighting ring - known as a cockpit - and paraphernalia associated with the training of birds for fighting, in a converted barn in Raspberry Hill Lane, Iwade.

Police said that removing the combs of birds is believed to be a common practice when breeding them for fighting.

Some of the dead birds were found hidden in the boots of vehicles believed to have been stolen. The remains of a dead horse was also found near a barn during "several grim discoveries'', a force spokesman said.

Around 100 wraps of a suspected Class A drug were seized and sent off for analysis during the raid, which was executed under the Misuse of Drugs Act on January 13.

Police also seized cash, suspected stolen vehicles and a number of dogs, several of which were believed to have been stolen

The spokesman said efforts were being made to rehome them, with the help of the RSPCA.

Officers also unearthed three lorry-loads of illegal alcohol, worth an estimated #75,000 in evaded tax and a quantity of cash at Detling Aerodrome on Monday.

Three men, a 52-year-old man from Iwade, a 47-year-old from Teynham and a 20-year-old from Swanley, were arrested on suspicion of theft offences, possession with intent to supply a controlled drug, animal cruelty and proceeds of crime.

A 21-year-old man from Upchurch was held on suspicion of supplying a controlled drug.

All four men have been bailed to April 9 pending further inquiries.