A LITTER of seven puppies were among £44,000-worth of dogs seized by the Scottish SPCA in East Lothian as part of a police operation.

A total of 22 warrants were executed across East Lothian as police tackled drug supply and organised crime with a dedicated operation.

Through Operation Portable, 16 people have been reported to the Procurator Fiscal over the past five weeks, with £25,000 cash and a significant quantity of drugs seized.

One person was reported by the Scottish SPCA for animal cruelty and neglect, with a further two people being reported in relation to cruel/inhuman operations offences, specifically illegal cropping of ears.

A number of dogs including a litter of seven puppies were seized on welfare grounds by the Scottish SPCA, with the combined value of the dogs believed to be in excess of £44,000.

Operation Portable ran alongside two other operations in Midlothian and West Lothian, with 52 people reported in total.

Superintendent Craig Smith said: “Both misuse and supply of drugs and organised crime are priorities for us and the community in East Lothian, and I’d like to thank them for their support and assistance during our operations.

"The information that local people provide is vital in building up a picture of such activity, allowing us to execute these warrants, putting people before the courts and taking drugs and other dangerous or illicit items off the streets.

“By working with our partners we can put the most appropriate resources in place to both deal with the criminality and take steps to prevent it. I would encourage anyone with information about crime in their area to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

A Scottish SPCA undercover inspector said: “We are committed to tackling serious crimes, particularly where they cause cruel and unnecessary suffering.

"We will continue to work together in partnership with Police Scotland to prevent further suffering to animals and promote safer communities.”