CHEROKEE (AP) – Sheriff’s officials in Cherokee County said they’ve broken up a hog theft ring in northwestern Iowa.

The officials said they’ve arrested five Marcus-area men who face felony charges of hog theft and money laundering. Authorities say an investigation found that over the last 10 months about 176 hogs were stolen from confinement buildings in rural Cherokee County.

Authorities say the hogs were transported to area sales barns. Sheriff’s department reports show the thieves received more than $12,000 when the animals were sold.

No names or exact charges to be filed were made immediately available.