The tiny puppy was found after a harrowing time amongst drug dealers.

LARGO, Fla. — It was the moment everyone had been hoping and praying for after a long, frustrating week of worry.

A helpless and terrified puppy was finally back in loving hands. 8 On Your Side was there to witness the safe return of the 2-pound Yorkie, which was bundled up in a blanket.

The 9-week-old puppy, valued at $1,600, is small and frail. She endured days of fear and starvation after being stolen from the popular Largo pet store All About Puppies on Jan. 14. Shortly after, the puppy was traded for cocaine and cash, Largo detectives said.

The crime was caught on the store’s camera. Crystal clear surveillance video shows a man shoving the puppy in his shirt before taking off out the front door. That day, kennel manager Bridget Royal called 8 On Your Side for help.

“I was disgusted. I ranted on Facebook. I was like, ‘How could someone sell a little puppy for drugs?’” Royal told News Channel 8.

Video of that mystery man was quickly shown to the public, and in less than a week, police got their guy.  His name is Wayne Barfield, and police say he’s a career criminal with a long rap sheet that includes prison time.

Detectives explained that the Yorkie was used as currency in a drug deal shortly after she was stolen. The deal went down at a Winn Dixie and Dunkin Donuts located in St. Petersburg.

Police are still investigating the chronology but they believe the puppy changed hands several times, suffering at each stop. She survived awful circumstances, never knowing what would happen next. Then, an unsuspecting couple purchased the puppy and brought her to Partridge Animal Hospital because the dog was sick.

A vet tech who watches News Channel 8 recognized the puppy during their 11 p.m. story on Jan. 19 and ran the dog’s microchip through the system. It was a match, and the case was solved.

Source: WFLA