Manfid Duran, 50, of Plumstead Township, was sentenced today by President Judge Raymond F. McHugh to a significant state prison term following his guilty pleas in two separate cases: possession with intent to deliver four kilograms of cocaine and operating a large-scale cockfighting ring.

Judge McHugh sentenced Duran to five to 10 years in prison for the drug case. In a consecutive sentence, Duran received an additional 8 to 24 months in state prison for his involvement in the animal fighting operation, bringing his total incarceration to a minimum of 5 years and 8 months and a maximum of 12 years.

Duran pleaded guilty in March to charges of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, and criminal use of a communication facility in the drug case. In the animal fighting case, he pleaded guilty to 50 counts of animal fighting and 54 counts of neglect of animals.

The drug investigation began in March 2023 when members of the Pennsylvania State Police and the Bucks County Detectives Drug Strike Force initiated an inquiry in Plumstead Township. An undercover law enforcement officer successfully negotiated the purchase of bulk quantities of cocaine from Duran via cellular telephone. On March 15, 2023, a search warrant executed at Duran's residence at 1031 N. Easton Road, led to the discovery of approximately four kilograms of cocaine in a detached garage, with an estimated street value of $400,000.

The cockfighting investigation unfolded on Sunday, February 18, 2024, when the Plumstead Township Police Department received a report of a possible cockfighting ring at the same 1031 North Easton Road property. Upon arrival, officers observed numerous vehicles and heard roosters. During the investigation, Plumstead Township Police Corporal Jeffrey Moffett heard numerous roosters and observed several in cages in a detached garage. Through the open door, he observed a boxed-in pit with two roosters actively fighting, as well as at least one deceased rooster in the corner and 20 males standing around the pit. When asked for identification, the group fled in various directions.

A search warrant was subsequently executed at the property, which was rented by Manfid Duran. Inside the detached garage/barn, law enforcement found extensive evidence of animal fighting. This included a plywood fighting ring with feathers, footprints, and dark red bloodstains. Other items recovered included a notebook with names and scores, a scale, colored zip ties, empty bottles of performance-enhancing vitamins for fighting roosters, bolt cutters, and other items. Blood drops were observed on the floor.

Officers found a bloodied rooster in severe distress, unable to right itself. Outside, in a field, a barrel contained burned material and the bodies of two large deceased and bloodied roosters and two bantam-type roosters, with a clear trail of blood leading from the garage to the barrel in the snow.

Investigators also discovered an apartment within the garage that served as a training ground for the roosters, containing a plywood box with individual slots holding roosters, and a kitchen area with spools of waxed thread, a black zippered case with leather leg cuffs, "Rooster Viper" (an injectable game-fowl enhancing drug), plastic tape, surgical sheets, cardboard rectangles with multiple knife spurs, and a backpack containing a wooden box with nearly two dozen knife-spurs, a brass spur scale, and a hand saw with a blood-stained blade.

The conditions of the birds on the property were dire, with no access to unfrozen water and empty food cups. Birds in boxes had no food or water. Many cages lacked adequate protection from the weather.

The Bucks County SPCA removed 49 birds including roosters from the property. The injured rooster later died. Two other roosters were also treated for injuries at a veterinary clinic.

These cases highlight the tireless efforts of law enforcement and animal welfare agencies. The drug case was investigated by the Bucks County Detectives Drug Strike Force and Pennsylvania State Police, and the animal fighting case was investigated by the Plumstead Township Police Department and the Bucks County SPCA.

Deputy District Attorney Thomas C. Gannon prosecuted these cases.

Media Contact: Manuel Gamiz Jr., 215-348-6298, mgamiz@buckscounty.org.