POLICE forced their way into properties across East Lothian this morning as a series of drugs raids took place in towns.

More than 90 officers from local units and specialist teams took part in the latest part of Operation Jigsaw.

Homes in Musselburgh and Tranent were hit in a co-ordinated string of raids designed to disrupt the supply chain and find drugs.

Chief Inspector Matt Paden, local area commander for East Lothian, briefed the team before they headed out.

He said much of the information used to target addresses had come from members of the public, through Crimestoppers and local knowledge of officers, working in the communities.

Additional raids were also being carried out across the border in Dalkeith, Midlothian.

Police dogs were used to search properties and surrounding land as it was reported officers had retrieved at least one bag of what they believed was crack cocaine, which appeared to have been thrown from a window.

Operations are continuing across the county this afternoon as searches of properties continue.

Operation Jigsaw was launched in November with the aim of cracking down on drugs crime in the Lothians.

Since it was launched £26,000 in cash and £2,000 worth of drugs have been seized and a total of 27 people reported to the procurator fiscal.

Eighteen people were reported for drugs offences, three for outstanding warrants, two for road traffic offences, two for possessing offensive weapons, one for a breach of bail and one issued with an antisocial behaviour order and later arrested for breaking it.

Community officers visited neighbours in the properties and leaflets were put through letterboxes to reassure people about the large police action.

Chief Inspector Paden said: "Because this was a large scale police activity, following the incidents in London, community officers will be talking to neighbours and leafleting them to give reassurance."