Dozens of illegally imported puppies have been seized in Northern Ireland as a part of a police operation concentrating on animal smuggling.
A 44-year-old man has been arrested following the operation at Belfast harbour property, with 57 puppies, three grownup canines and a cat recovered.
Police imagine the animals might have been smuggled into Northern Ireland from the Republic of Ireland and had been deliberate to be moved to England or Scotland to be bought.
PSNI Detective Inspector Conor Sweeney mentioned: “The male was arrested on suspicion of a number of offences including fraud by false representation and possession of articles for use in fraud.
“A amount of money was additionally seized.
“He remains in custody, helping with ongoing enquiries.”
The breeds of puppies discovered embrace golden retriever, cockapoo, miniature terrier, French bulldog, American bulldog, cocker spaniel, dachshunds and roan spaniel.
They are being examined by a vet.
Mr Sweeney added that, whereas a lot of the latest seizures have been associated to unlawful medicine, they don’t seem to be the one gadgets being traded illegally.
“Smuggling is often conducted by sophisticated cross-border organised criminal groups,” he mentioned.
“Such groups will not discriminate when it comes to the commodity being smuggled – should that be drugs, cigarettes, people, or in this case, animals.
“I use the word commodity as this is how crime gangs view the people and animals they smuggle – as nothing but commodities which they can exploit to line their own pockets.
“Those concerned in pet smuggling don’t care concerning the horrendous influence this kind of legal exercise can have each on the animals and on the victims who innocently purchase them as household pets.
“If anyone has information about any illegal activity, please contact police on 101.”
Source: information.sky.com”