Ten days after the incident, authorities closed the cockfighting venue in Aspe amid a police sweep that led to numerous arrests. Local officials moved quickly to shut down the operation as a precaution after learning that another competition was planned for the upcoming weekend.
The activity, while not secret, was unmistakably illegal. It had public publicity through posters that announced the event date for Saturday, and it claimed guaranteed cash prizes and specific showtimes, with ticket prices listed as 30 euros for general admission and 50 euros for VIP access.
The poster for the planned event at Gallera El Chato drew attention to the venue and the alleged headquarters of the Peña Gallística Levante, a private association that typically restricts entry to its members. The poster also advertised general and VIP tickets, underscoring the commercial aspect of the cockfighting event.
The site, which has been temporarily shut since Saturday morning, is described as the organization’s headquarters and has traces of organizational legitimacy in its registry records dating from December 22, 2022. Yet it remains clear that the facility serves as a private meeting point rather than a public venue open to casual visitors.
Officials explained that the supposed headquarters is not open to outsiders who wish to attend meetings there. A public understanding of its use contrasts with the official registration maintained in the registry of associations, highlighting a discrepancy between formal paperwork and on-site activity.
«Fraudulent use»
Municipal sources indicated that the city was pursuing the withdrawal of any opening license, but it is noted that the activity itself, being the center of an association, does not fall under a permit requirement in the same way as some other entertainment venues. The Saturday closure was justified by the authorities on the basis of the facility’s “fraudulent use,” namely that it was not being utilized for the purpose stated in its registration.
Regardless of how it is officially described in the records, the town of Aspe is well aware of the underlying operations. The nine-month timeline of the activity inside the venue was more widely understood locally than the formal documentation would suggest.
Investigators report that a police intervention on the eighteenth uncovered the use of construction-grade materials and a high level of preparation for cockfighting events. The venue reportedly accommodates around two hundred participants, underscoring the scale of the operation that drew police attention.
A subsequent review of the records related to Peña Gallística Levante showed that the organization claims to meet certain statutory provisions that grant the right to association, which is protected by the constitution. Meanwhile, investigators from the UDyCO unit and the Alicante Police Station Judicial Police Brigade have pursued leads that point to a broader criminal enterprise involving cockfighting events with connections extending beyond Spain to neighboring regions, including France. More than 150 people worldwide were reportedly involved in a criminal plot connected to these activities.
Those arrested or detained face charges including premeditated violence toward animals, organized crime, and related offenses. Investigators indicate that the operation included the seizure of roosters, equipment used for preparation, and substantial amounts of cash, along with other related items. The investigation also identified a person described as the organizer, who is currently under preventive detention, with others in the group identified as associates or family members responsible for various aspects of the activities.
Across the case, authorities emphasize that concerns about animal cruelty and the organization of illegal gambling or entertainment events are at the heart of the enforcement actions. The full scope of the case continues to unfold as prosecutors and police build their case against those implicated, with ongoing related inquiries into the network surrounding the activity and its financing.
In the current phase of the investigation, officials stress the importance of transparency and accountability in community associations, particularly those used as centers for organized activities that may implicate legal and ethical boundaries. The case continues to be monitored by law enforcement as more details emerge about the structure of the operation, the roles of individuals involved, and the broader implications for public safety and animal welfare.