Organization notes that Texas is a hot spot for cockfighting with its border with Mexico and three states (LA, NM, OK) that were the last states to outlaw the practice
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy today commended the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Laredo Police Department Special Operations Group, and Child Protective Services for their coordinated raid on a residence in Laredo, Texas, that uncovered cocaine, cockfighting gear, neglected roosters, and evidence of child endangerment. This operation emphatically illustrates how cockfighting is rarely an isolated crime — it is often intertwined with drug trafficking, weapons offenses, and other serious criminal behavior.
“Animal fighters live and operate in a criminal ecosystem,” said Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy. “This bust should signal to every jurisdiction that cockfighting is a red flag for other crimes, including drug dealing, weapons trafficking, money laundering, and even child exploitation.”
According to media reports, the Sept. 19, 2025, raid resulted in the detention of a suspect, discovery of multiple baggies of cocaine, over $5,600 in cash, 48 rooster blades (fighting knives), neglected chickens in poor health, and syringes and other items. The property was also found to have a child present in close proximity to the illicit materials. The suspect, identified as 41-year-old Walter Marcelino DeHoyos, faces felony and misdemeanor charges including manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance, child endangerment, cruelty to livestock, and cockfighting. His extensive criminal history reportedly includes arrests for burglary, theft, weapons violations, organized criminal activity, and more.
Decades of enforcement experience and academic studies confirm that cockfighting is almost never just about animal cruelty. The connection is well established. Animal cruelty reflects a mindset of disregard for the law and life, which is often intertwined with other illicit activities. Money laundering, narcotics, and gambling frequently accompany cockfights, with large sums of cash exchanged outside regulated banking systems. This recent Laredo raid offers a stark, real-world example of those intersections.
“The arrest in Laredo is more than just another animal cruelty bust,” Pacelle added. “It’s proof that when agencies act boldly and together, they can dismantle criminal networks. We thank the DEA, Laredo PD, and CPS for leading the way and hope others follow. We urge other law enforcement agencies to be alert to cockfighting crimes as a way to stop cruelty and stop the crime wave that accompanies it.”