Eighteen warrants have been executed across Midlothian as police tackled drug supply and organised crime with a dedicated operation.

Through Operation Bistra, 16 people have been reported to the Procurator Fiscal over the past five weeks, with £2,300 cash and a significant quantity of drugs seized.

Officers also recovered items including an air weapon and a stun guns.

Operation Bistra ran alongside two other operations in West and East 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 Midlothian, 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.”