VISTA, Calif. -- Scores of birds believed to be part of separate North County cockfighting rings were seized following investigations launched by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, it was reported Friday.

One of the incidents, in Pauma Valley, occurred about 5:20 a.m. Thursday when "hundreds of birds," along with cages and gaffes -- metal blades strapped to chickens' legs during a fight -- were found in the 15000 block of Highway 76, sheriff's Sgt. Bob Bishop told the North County Times.

About 200 birds were discovered by federal agents at the location and the animals were later euthanized, said John Carlson, regional director of the county Department of Animal Control, according to the Times.

One person was taken into custody, he told the newspaper. Details of the arrest were not immediately available.

The second incident began a short time later, when about three dozen fighting cocks, hens and chicks were discovered as drug enforcement agents and sheriff's deputies searched a Vista home as part of an ongoing drug investigation, authorities told the newspaper.

Dan Simmons, a DEA spokesman, said he could only confirm that a search warrant was served about 6 a.m. at a home in the 1100 block of Bobolink Drive, the Times reported.

Deputies arrested 44-year-old Ambrosio Arellano, who lived at the home, on suspicion of possession of birds for cockfighting and suspicion of aiding or abetting game cockfighting, the newspaper reported.

Sheriff's Sgt. Marc Ramirez said all the birds showed evidence of fighting, with scars and wounds. Deputies also found paraphernalia such as cutting pins and hormones administered to birds used during cockfighting, the Times reported.