Authorities arrest a man after finding what they described as a cockfighting operation Tuesday. [Carrie Pratt | Times]

TAMPA — Authorities say they’ve cracked a cockfighting operation at 3908 E Lake Ave. They found about 60 birds and a cockfighting ring. Hillsborough Animal Services and Tampa police are on scene. At least one person has been arrested.

The incident took place at Michael Serrano’s Used Auto. Authorities arrived about 10 a.m.

Tampa police spokeswoman Andrea Davis said "It’s an elaborate setup." She said steroids and syringes were found inside the building. Marti Ryan of Hillsborough County Animal Services said someone who came to look

for a car called in the tip after seeing something suspicious.

In addition to the 60 or so birds, there was a screened-in enclosure with mulch on the ground and many cages. Ryan said some of the birds would be euthanized, but that some of the others might be able to be relocated to schools or agriculture programs.

Sgt. Pam Perry of Animal Services displayed one of the roosters she said had been prepped for fighting. Its comb, wattle and spur had been removed, to ensure they wouldn’t get in the way during a fight.

- Tom Lake, Times staff writer

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