By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com
FBI agents listening to wiretaps of alleged cocaine dealers in South Carolina discovered a large training facility for fighting pit bulls in Lexington County, the Charlotte Observer reports.
During the raid, agents seized 48 pit bills, many of them emaciated and tied to chains outside.
On Oct. 1, the same investigation prompted the seizure of 35 dogs, in addition to guns, drugs and cash.
One of the suspects, Eric Dean “Big E” Smith, 41, of Gaston, is accused of selling cocaine.
According to the FBI, Smith was “heavily involved in breeding dogs for the purpose of dogfighting.”
“Intercepts and physical surveillance have revealed that Smith stores cocaine and over 30 dogs at (his) residence.”
The discovery of dogs is part of an investigation into a Columbia area gang cocaine operation.
