Alleged illegal cockfight busted

Cockfight gaming operator MaryAnn Calvo yesterday exposed an alleged illegal cockfight gaming operation in San Antonio.

Calvo said she infiltrated the illegal cockfight operation Sunday at the San Antonio beachside pavilion and was surprised to see former congressman Pedro Castro of Precinct 1 present in the area.

Castro is currently a member of the Cockfight Board, said Calvo, who is the owner of Marianas Cockfight, which operates the Saipan Cockpit in Gualo Rai.

Saipan Tribune yesterday tried but failed to contact Castro for comment.

“I called the Department of Public Safety commissioner and even 911 [to report the illegal operation], but no police officer came,” Calvo told Saipan Tribune.

She said the area has been notorious for hosting illegal cockfight activities for years now.

Upon being notified of the illegal activity, she said she immediately responded to the scene at 2:50pm Sunday, Nov. 16, and reported the matter to DPS after verifying that there was indeed an illegal cockfight operation.

Calvo said that after more than 30 minutes of delay and with no visible DPS officers in sight, she parked in front of the pavilion area where the illegal gambling activity was being conducted.

Calvo said the scene was teeming with more than 50 participants. At the time, she said, about 25 cars were parked side by side, while men were tying their chickens and getting ready for another round of fighting.

Money transactions were evident too, she noted.

Calvo said she walked straight toward the cockers and warned them of the consequences of their actions.

“This is an illegal cockfight gaming operation! Stop what you are doing,” Calvo told the participants.

She said in 10 minutes all the people and the roosters were gone.

She said she spotted Castro in the pavilion.

As a Cockfight Board member, Calvo said, Castro has a fiduciary responsibility to uphold local cockfight gaming rules and regulations.

“But this Sunday, Pedro Castro neglected his duty in that he was visibly sitting in the pavilion, five feet away from the illegal activity,” she said.

Calvo said this is a gross dereliction of duty for Castro.

“No wonder these illegal games continue to persist, when a Cockfight Board member is seen supporting these actions,” she said.

Calvo said her legitimate business is being robbed of fair profit that she had to legally pay a price for. She said those supporting such illegal activities must be prosecuted.

“These illegal cockfighting activities must be shut down,” she said.

The Saipan Mayor’s Office authorizes only one person or entity to conduct cockfight operations, based on a public bidding process in accordance with the law.

Calvo said the only authorized licensee to conduct cockfight operation on Saipan is the Saipan Cockpit.

According to the law, “any person or individual who willfully or knowingly violates any provision of the Saipan Cockfighting Act of 1994 or any promulgating rules or regulations is guilty of misdemeanor.”

If convicted, the person will be subject to a fine of not more than $600 or imprisonment of not more than three months or both.

“Further, under immigration law, nonresident workers who engage in illegal activities is subject to deportation,” Calvo emphasized.