U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, working with multiple law enforcement agencies, have uncovered an extensive illegal cockfighting operation in Harrison County, Mississippi.
According to Breitbart, the operation resulted in multiple arrests involving illegal immigration, cockfighting, and other criminal activities at a property located at 16478 Northup Cuevas Road.
Two U.S. citizens, Alvin Smith III and Herbert Kasey Smith, face charges for violating the Animal Welfare Act by hosting bi-weekly cockfights on their property. Several other individuals were charged with conspiracy related to the illegal game-fighting scheme, while undocumented participants now face immigration-related charges.
Joint agency operation uncovers criminal network
The investigation was spearheaded by ICE's Homeland Security Task Force and the Border Enforcement Security Task Force. Multiple agencies participated in the operation, including 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.
Law enforcement officials are still working to identify all individuals involved in the operation. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Mississippi will lead federal prosecutions against those arrested at the site.
The operation falls under President Trump's Operation Take Back America initiative, which coordinates Department of Justice resources to combat illegal immigration, eliminate cartels, and protect communities from violent crime.
ICE highlights connection to organized crime
ICE-HSI Special Agent in Charge Eric DeLaune emphasized the broader implications of the bust, stating:
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. These crimes degrade the safety of our communities, and we are proud to be the ones stopping these illegal operations.
The investigation extended beyond animal fighting and gambling to include probes into illegal immigration, narcotics, and weapons violations. Similar operations across the country have revealed connections to Mexican cartel money laundering activities.
Previous cockfighting operations show pattern
In October 2023, law enforcement in San Jacinto County, Texas, dismantled a similar operation, resulting in 19 arrests. That raid yielded significant seizures, including 43 vehicles, four custom utility trailers, five pistols, and over $22,000 in cash.
A March 2025 operation in Puerto Rico led to the arrest of 31 undocumented individuals at a cockfighting event. These incidents demonstrate the ongoing connection between illegal animal fighting operations and broader criminal enterprises.
The Department of Justice continues to coordinate efforts through various task forces to address these interconnected criminal activities effectively.
Operation highlights federal enforcement success
The Harrison County cockfighting operation takedown represents a significant victory in ICE's ongoing efforts to combat illegal immigration and organized crime. The Smiths and their co-conspirators now face both state and federal charges for their involvement in the illegal gambling and animal fighting enterprise.
Federal authorities continue their investigation as they process those arrested and verify the immigration status of all individuals involved. The case demonstrates the effectiveness of coordinated law enforcement efforts under Operation Take Back America in dismantling criminal networks that threaten community safety.
