Illegal Slaughterhouse
2 arrested after discovery of illegal Southwest Miami-Dade slaughterhouse
Dec 17, 2015
SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, Fla. (WSVN) -- Two people were charged with felonies relating to operation of an illegal slaughterhouse on their property.
The Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office, the Miami-Dade Police Department, undercover investigators from the Animal Recovery Mission (ARM) and officers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, raided the home of 45-year-old Angel Ricardo Vargas and 41-year-old Mayelin Rodriguez, Thursday morning. Police arrested them after an eight-month-long investigation discovered animal cruelty taking place at their residence, at 19400 S.W. 136 St.
7Skyforce flew over the scene, where police cars could be seen surrounding the property. According to ARM, pigs, ducks, chickens and turkeys were being illegally slaughtered. They described the slaughter procedures as barbaric, inhumane and extremely illegal. Photos from inside the residence showed messy and unsanitary conditions.
The on-site investigation led to a variety of additional findings, which may include the directing of potentially unhealthy meat into the food chain and the discovery of industrial ovens at the site.
Angel Ricardo Vargas was charged with four counts of cruelty to animals and one count of conspiracy to commit cruelty to animals. Mayelin Rodriguez was charged with one count of cruelty to animals and one count of conspiracy to commit cruelty to animals.
Arrests Made After Brutal Illegal Slaughterhouse Discovered in South Miami-Dade
December 17, 2015
On a wooded plot of land in South Miami-Dade, animals were allegedly stabbed, hooked, and dragged regularly. Some would even be boiled alive. The site has been dubbed an "animal house of horrors." Now, after a seven-and-half-month investigation into the illegal slaughterhouse, officials have arrested two people on multiple animal cruelty-related felony charges.
Several pigs, many looking malnourished, were rescued from the farm this morning, and suspects Angel Ricardo Vargas, 45, and Mayelin Rodriguez, 41, were led away in handcuffs.
The investigation brought together the resources of the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, the Miami-Dade Police Department, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the non-governmental Animal Recovery Mission (ARM).
Beginning this past May 1, undercover investigators visited the slaughterhouse, located at 19400 SW 136th St. That's a residential area just west of Kendall and north of the Redland. They visited the home on four occasions and witnessed and documented the brutal treatment of animals.
In a comment on Facebook, ARM called it "one of the most vile, animal abusing, slaughter farms we've seen."
The animals were sold for food, but because of the ghastly and grotesque conditions of the slaughterhouse, investigators are also worried that tainted meat might have been sold.
“Anyone involved in the food industry knows that there are easily performed, painless ways to slaughter livestock for food. At these illegal slaughterhouses, it seems to be too much trouble to render the animals senseless,” State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said in a statement. “Instead of following Florida’s laws, Angel Ricardo Vargas, and his wife, Mayelin Rodriguez, turned a part of their home into an animal house of horrors. I applaud the partnership which allows my prosecutors, the Miami-Dade Police Department, and the Animal Recovery Mission to effectively shut down such ghastly operations. Now we need to know if the meat from this site has been entering our local food chain. That state and federal investigation is now ongoing.”
The State Attorney's Office released several pictures showing the unkempt state of the operation.
ARM busts illegal slaughterhouse in southwest Miami-Dade
December 17, 2015
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. - A slaughterhouse owner and his wife were arrested Thursday on animal cruelty charges after an eight-month investigation by the Miami-based Animal Recovery Mission.
The farm at 19400 SW 136th St. has no official name, but is owned and run by Angel Ricardo Vargas, who lives in a house at the front of the property.
Vargas, 45, and Mayelin Rodriguez, 41, are charged with cruelty to animals and conspiracy to commit cruelty to animals.
According to investigators, the slaughter farm business is operated at the rear of the property where Vargas keeps his pigs, chickens, ducks and turkeys.
"Ricardo has been seen harshly stabbing pigs in the heart, followed by what might be the worst part of the killing process. Ricardo uses a gaff hook (a long pole with a sharp hook attached at the end, which is used to
stab, hook and lift a large fish) into the pigs' mouth and drags it from the holding area to the slaughter area," ARM officials said in a news release. "Then, often while the pig is still alive and showing evident signs of life, Ricardo will drown it in a tub boiling water where the suffering pig eventually suffocates or burns to death."
Investigators said Vargas' wife was also charged because she helped in the butcher and cleaning process and was aware of the entire operation.
All animals at the farm were seized Thursday, which included several endangered species, and the business will be permanently shut down.
Authorities said 100 pounds of suspected horse meat was also confiscated.
"Anyone involved in the food industry knows that there are easily performed, painless ways to slaughter livestock for food. At these illegal slaughterhouses, it seem to be too much trouble to render the animals senseless," State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said. "Instead of following Florida's laws, Angel Ricardo Vargas, and his wife, Mayelin Rodriguez, turned a part of their home into an animal house of horrors. I applaud the partnership which allows my prosecutors, the Miami-Dade Police Department and the Animal Recovery Mission to effectively shut down such ghastly operations. Now we need to know if the meat from this site has been entering our local food chain. That state and federal investigation is now ongoing."
Animal Recovery Mission
Animal Recovery Mission
27 mins ·
ARM UNDERCOVER VIDEO (warning) - Operation Gaff Hook
Shocking footage was gathered and whilst this illegal slaughter farm was on a smaller scale of operation, the killings themselves were barbaric and never before seen methods and instruments were used. Gaff hooks, that are very sharp hooks connected to a 5 foot metal pole, were inserted into the pig’s jaws. The hooks were so large that they would tear through to the outside of the animals face.The pig was then dragged by the pole, for 75 feet to the butcher area, all while still alive, it’s entire body weight being burdened on its mouth. The animals were then dumped into tubs of boiling water, where is the animal would drown and burn to a quelling death. Chickens were also killed in brutal ways by stretching the animals neck and one by one, breaking their bones, killing them slowly.
The ‘Gaff Hook’ operation is also suspected to be connected to the black market horse meat trade that is prevalent throughout Miami and Florida.
After ARM’s investigations were conclusive and concrete, a strike force was put together with law enforcement, the Miami Dade State Attorney’s office, USDA and a compilation of official agencies, led by ARM and Ricardo’s illegal operation was raided on December 17th, 2015 at dawn. The details of this case are ongoing and more information will be updated as the case evolves.
Animal Recovery Mission added 32 new photos — with Richard Couto at Redlands.
Animal Recovery Mission added 32 new photos — with Richard Couto at Redlands.
6 mins ·
Over the course of a seven month long investigation, the Animal Recovery Mission entered into the farm titled ‘Gaff Hook’ due to the use of these fishing instruments, to drag the animals whilst still alive. Upon each visit, ARM investigators documented and collected video and audio footage of extremely cruel and inhumane acts against animals carried out by the owner and operators of the farm. Evidence gathered throughout ARM’s investigation proved that these acts were indeed taking place regularly on this illegal slaughter farm.
The illegal slaughter farm, owned and operated by a cuban male named Angel Ricardo Vargas, also known as Ricardo. Ricardo operated the illegal business killing pigs, wild hogs, chickens, ducks and turkeys, right in own his backyard. Ricardo, and his family all lived on the property, with the slaughter area just a mere 400ft from Ricardo’s house.
Animals on site that were tortured, deprived and killed violently included pigs, hens, roosters, guinea fowl, ducks, turtles, pigeons, turkeys. Animals on site were either being slaughtered and sold to the public for human consumption, or sold for Santaria and black magic purposes.Couple Arrested in Illegal Slaughterhouse Case
Dec 18, 2015
Miami (December 17, 2015) – As a result of a joint investigation by the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, the Miami-Dade Police Department, undercover investigators from the Animal Recovery Mission (ARM) group and officers from the Florida Wildlife Commission, 45 year old Angel Ricardo Vargas and 41 year old Mayelin Rodriguez were arrested and charged with felonies relating to operation of an illegal slaughterhouse at their residence at 19400 SW 136th Street, Miami-Dade County.
During an undercover investigation commencing on May 1, 2015 and ending today, undercover operatives visited the site on four (4) different occasions, often filming the acts of animal cruelty which entailed the repeated stabbing, hooking, dragging and boiling alive of animals intended to be sold to the purchasers who visited the residence. These animal slaughter activities were occurring in a residential area of Miami-Dade County and were not permitted to occur by existing zoning and health laws.
Angel Ricardo Vargas has immediately been charged with:
• 4 counts Cruelty to Animals – 3rd Degree Felony
• 1 count Conspiracy to Commit Cruelty to Animals – 3rd Degree Felony
Mayelin Rodriguez has immediately been charged with:
• 1 count Cruelty to Animals – 3rd Degree Felony
• 1 count Conspiracy to Commit Cruelty to Animals – 3rd Degree Felony
The on-site investigation has led to a variety of additional findings which may include the directing of potentially unhealthy meat into the food chain. The discovery of industrial ovens at the site and the filthy conditions have raised serious concerns which will need further investigation.
“Anyone involved in the food industry knows that there are easily performed, painless ways to slaughter livestock for food. At these illegal slaughterhouses, it seem to be too much trouble to render the animals senseless”, commented State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle. “Instead of following Florida’s Laws, Angel Ricardo Vargas, and his wife, Mayelin Rodriguez turned a part of their home into an animal house of horrors. I applaud the partnership which allows my prosecutors, the Miami-Dade Police Department and the Animal Recovery Mission to effectively shut down such ghastly operations. Now we need to know if the meat from this site has been entering our local food chain. That state and federal investigation is now ongoing.”
For further information, contact:
Ed Griffith, Public Information Officer
(305) 547-0535
EdGriffith@MiamiSAO
Nancy Sciarett
Posted on December 18, 2015 at 5:18 pm
Hopefully the prosecuting attorney does not let them plea…like they did in Loxahatchee raid. That was shameful and those culprits only got a slap on the wrist. We need to make more strict penalties.
I have a big question that never seems to get snswered….what agency can write or make current laws more strict to stop this abuse? According to what I read in 2010 Governer Crist signed into law (HB765) I believe, that stated abuse or illegal slaughter was punishable by felony 3, but they don’t seem to enforce it here. Can you please advise?
Thank you from all of us concerned horse owners here…..
Nancy Sciaretta
Couple appears in bond court after slaughterhouse bust
December 18, 2015
A South Florida couple accused of operating an illegal slaughterhouse appeared in bond court Friday.
Angel Ricardo Vargas, 45, who owns the farm at 19400 SW 136th St. in Miami-Dade County, is being held in lieu of $50,000 bond while his wife, Mayelin Rodriguez, 41, is being held in lieu of $25,000 bond.
Both defendants are required to prove that the money used to bond them out was earned legitimately.
Both face charges of cruelty to animals and conspiracy to commit cruelty to animals.
According to investigators, the slaughter farm business is operated at the rear of the property, where Vargas keeps his pigs, chickens, ducks and turkeys.
"Ricardo has been seen harshly stabbing pigs in the heart, followed by what might be the worst part of the killing process. Ricardo uses a gaff hook (a long pole with a sharp hook attached at the end, which is used to stab, hook and lift a large fish) into the pigs' mouth and drags it from the holding area to the slaughter area," ARM officials said in a news release. "Then, often while the pig is still alive and showing evident signs of life, Ricardo will drown it in a tub (of) boiling water where the suffering pig eventually suffocates or burns to death."
Investigators said Vargas' wife was also charged because she helped in the butcher and cleaning process and was aware of the entire operation.
All animals at the farm were seized Thursday, which included several endangered species, and the business will be permanently shut down.
Authorities said 100 pounds of suspected horse meat was also confiscated.
State and federal investigators are working to determine whether any meat from the farm has been sold to local grocery stores or restaurants, State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said.
