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Cock-Fighting Ring Run From Bar Basement, Paterson Police Find

PATERSON, N.J. -- Paterson police discovered a cock-fighting ring being run from the basement of a local bar, Director Jerry Speziale said Thursday.

Dec. 2011 photo.

Dec. 2011 photo.

Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons (Amshudhagar)

Narcotics detectives were conducting a licensing inspection at New Ranchi City on Market Street when they found three-quarters of an ounce of cocaine in a jacket pocket -- along with a handful of Endocet pills -- by an empty table, Speziale said.

Investigating further, they found the ring in the basement -- along with three live roosters, "cock-fighting apparel" and gambling records, he said.

Detectives arrested bartender Cesar Toribio, 43, and then owner Felix Grullon, 50, after summoning him to the scene, the director said.

They also alerted animal control officers and the New Jersey SPCA, he said.

A subsequent search of Torbio’s Madision Avenue apartment home turned up a Colt double-eagle series .45-caliber handgun, Speziale said. Detectives also seized $334 in alleged illicit proceeds from him and $1,321 from Grullon, he said.

Detectives charged both men with maintaining a gambling resort, promoting gambling and possession of gambling records and devices, along with drug offenses, Speziale said.

Toribio also was charged with illegal possession of the weapon, he said.

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