A routine traffic stop of a cargo van in Buena Park, CA led to the rescue of a dozen pit bulls that were headed to Mexico for dog fighting.

Officers noticed the van had no front license plate and directed the driver to pull over.

The dogs were turned over to the Southeast Area Animal Control Authority, which consulted with the Humane Society of the United States and traced many of the pit bulls through their implanted chips back to notorious dog fighters.

The men had fans in the van and appeared to be caring for the dogs as best they could, Reyes said. But when pulled over, the officers grew suspicious as the driver rolled down his window and they got a whiff of a very foul odor.

The men made stops in nine different states to pick up the dogs.

The puppies range in age from puppies to 3 years old–some of the dogs are valued at $20,000.

Source: foxnews