By Ryan Sullivan
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, NC (WGHP) - One person was arrested and another is sought after authorities found more than 100 cockfighting roosters in addition to a large amount of cocaine and marijuana in Montgomery County.
According to a news release from the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, authorities on Thursday searched a house at 1571 Post Office Road in Biscoe as part of a drug investigation.
At the home, deputies said they found a cockfighting pit in the back, 145 roosters used for cockfighting, 100 sets of metal razor spurs, multiple vials of medication for the roosters, a "large amount of cocaine and marijuana," packaging material, numerous firearms, fraudulent U.S. entry documents, and an undisclosed amount of cash. In addition, deputies said they seized four vehicles, an ATV and "other assets."
The cockfighting ring is the largest ever uncovered in Montgomery County, deputies said.
One person was arrested and another is sought after authorities found more than 100 cockfighting roosters in addition to a large amount of cocaine and marijuana in Montgomery County.
Deputies did not specify the exact quantities of the cocaine and marijuana seized, but said the respective total street values were more than $100,000 and more than $50,000.
As a result of the Biscoe home search, deputies said two additional houses were
One person was arrested and another is sought after authorities found more than 100 cockfighting roosters in addition to a large amount of cocaine and marijuana in Montgomery County. (WGHP)
searched on Eldorado Street in Troy. During the additional searches, deputies said they found more fraudulent documents used to enter the country illegally. Another vehicle was also seized.
Maria De Jesus Mortera-Lopez, 30, was arrested and jailed in Montgomery County under a $150,000 secured bond. She was also placed under an ICE detainer, deputies said.
A second suspect, 32-year-old Luis Jaimes Zavaleta, is also wanted. Deputies said the vehicle Zavaleta had been driving was recovered at a relative's house, but the suspect has not been located.
Anyone with information about Zavaleta's whereabouts is asked to call the sheriff's office or Crimestoppers at 1-866-680-8477.
Deputies said the Department of Homeland Security, SBI, Department of Revenue, Troy Police Department, Lee County Sheriff's Office, and Montgomery County Animal Control are assisting in the investigation.
