Watsonville man arrested for drug dealing and rooster fighting

A Watsonville man was arrested for selling drugs and being in possession of items used for rooster fighting.

According to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, Deputies with the Gang Enforcement Team went to a home on the 100 block of Buena Vista Drive to do a probation search on Ruben Lopez, Friday, August 25.

During the search around 7 p.m. Deputies found methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and evidence of rooster/bird fighting.

“Lopez had 22 chickens and roosters that were living on the property that were malnourished. Additionally, Lopez had rooster fighting knife blades and leather straps used to attach the blades to roosters’ legs while fighting,” said Lt. Greg Lansdown.

Lopez was arrested and booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail. The Santa Cruz County Animal Control took custody of 22 chickens.