Dozens arrested in Jasper County operation targeting cockfighting ring
Mar 31, 2026·Location: Ridgeland, SC

U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Jasper County Sheriff's deputies, and Ridgeland police executed a coordinated operation Saturday involving approximately 250 officers across multiple locations in Jasper County, South Carolina, resulting in dozens of arrests. The year-long investigation targeted what Sheriff Chris Malphrus described as a criminal enterprise centered on an illegal cockfighting operation, which also uncovered connections to other criminal activity. Federal authorities are continuing the investigation and have not released specific details about the total number of detainees or their current locations.
Sources
- Multi-agency search warrants over the weekend strike fear in Jasper Co. community
WTOC·Mar 31, 2026·archived copy
- Police conducting county-wide investigation, Jasper Co. confirms
WTOC·Mar 28, 2026·archived copy
- WSAV
- Jasper County authorities release statement after video appears to show ICE detaining people
WJCL·Mar 31, 2026·archived copy
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