Crime & Safety
Dog Fighting, Drug Trafficking Arrests Made In St. Pete: Watch
More than 100 dogs were rescued during the investigation into a dog fighting and drug trafficking ring in St. Pete, police said.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Twenty-three people were arrested on drug trafficking and dog fighting charges on July 19, according to a St. Petersburg Police Department news release. (Watch a video of the rescued dogs below.)
In August, Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and SPPD detectives launched an investigation into a drug trafficking organization in Pinellas County and the Tampa Bay area.
During the investigation in St. Petersburg, detectives learned several suspects were also involved in dog fighting. The fights were part of a ring that operated in several surrounding counties.
Find out what's happening in St. Petefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
St. Pete detectives executed search warrants on six homes, seizing fentanyl, cocaine, and other drugs, and rescuing 111 dogs. Many of the dogs have significant scars from the brutality of the dog fights.
The investigations were funded through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement SAFE grant.
Find out what's happening in St. Petefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Watch a video of the rescued dogs:
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