Hall County authorities were investigating a suspected cockfighting site at a Flowery Branch home when they discovered a patch of 88 marijuana plants with a street value of $176,000.

The Multi Agency Narcotics Squad has charged Hernando Noriega, 36, with felony manufacturing marijuana, felony possession of marijuana and Hall County Ordinance violations related to cockfighting, according to 1st Lt. Kevin Head of the squad.

Noriega also has been placed on an immigration hold.
Hall County Animal Control officers and county marshals were at Noriega's home in the 3700 block of Chesapeake Trace Lane at around 1 p.m. Tuesday, said Andre Niles, captain of the county marshals office.

"As we were looking around, looking for evidence of dead birds and other county violations, is when we happened upon the marijuana," Niles said
Hall County Animal Control and Enforcement Director Mike Ledford said officers found evidence of cockfighting and other animal cruelty.

According to Hall County ordinances, owning or training any animals to participate in fights is illegal. It's also illegal to possess or make items related to cockfighting.

As officers investigated the scene, they found a cultivated patch of marijuana plants in woods behind the house. Narcotics squad investigators arrived on the scene and seized the plants, Head said.

"Most of the animals were located behind the residence, and there was a path that led away from the residence. In a short distance they found the marijuana plants," he said.

Narcotics squad officers later seized four firearms, he added.

Noriega was taken into custody on Wednesday without incident and booked in at the Hall County Jail.

The case remains under investigation by the narcotics squad, Head said. Hall County Animal Control will continue to pursue investigations of suspected cockfighting and animal cruelty.

"Sometimes when you're looking into one thing, you'll find other criminal activity you were not looking for," Head said.