Fourth Man Arrested In Cock-Fghting Investigation

A fourth man has been arrested by detectives investigating suspected illegal cock-fighting and animal cruelty at a farm in Iwade.

Officers from Kent Police discovered up to 170 birds in a converted barn in Raspberry Hill after executing a warrant on last Monday (13th January). A number of dead cockerels were also found at the farm, as was a suspected fighting ring - known as a cockpit - and paraphernalia associated with the training of birds for fighting.

Further searches uncovered about 100 wraps of a suspected Class A drug, a substantial quantity of cash, suspected stolen vehicles and a number of dogs were also seized on suspicion of welfare offences in breach of the Animal Welfare Act.

This Monday (20th January), officers raided a business premises at Detling Aerodrome and unearthed three lorry-loads of illicit alcohol, worth an estimated £75,000 in evaded tax. A substantial quantity of cash was also seized by officers.

A 52-year-old man from Iwade was arrested on suspicion of a variety of theft offences, possession with intent to supply a controlled drug, animal cruelty and proceeds of crime.
He joins a 47-year-old man from Teynham and a 20-year-old man from Swanley who were arrested on 13th January in connection with the same offences, while a 21-year-old man from Upchurch was also arrested on the same day on suspicion of supplying a controlled drug.

All four men have been bailed to appear at Sittingbourne Police Station on Wednesday 9th April, pending further enquiries.