A man has been arrested after police uncovered a potential multi-million pound illegal tobacco factory in Gateshead.

Officers executed a warrant at an address on Redgrave Close, near the Felling Bypass, following police intelligence yesterday morning (Monday, July 2).

Once inside the property, officers discovered a large quantity of loose tobacco, packaging and equipment being used to produce counterfeit products, with an estimated value of around £300,000.

Officers have also estimated that if all the empty tobacco pouches were filled, they would have a potential street value of around £3.3 million.

A 40-year-old man was found inside the address and subsequently arrested on suspicion of applying a false trademark to material. He is currently in police custody pending further enquiries.(Image: Northumbria Police)

The raid forms part of Operation Vienna – a joint initiative with local councils’ Trading Standards teams which involves the sharing of intelligence to help reduce crime, disorder and antisocial behaviour in the community.

Praising the partnership approach, Chief Inspector Thomas Hart, of Northumbria Police, said: “It’s great to see our collaborative efforts come to fruition in such a meaningful way.

“The proceeds from the sales of these products are often re-invested into more serious and organised criminality.

“By removing the profits from these groups and disrupting production lines of this scale, we take away the power and standing they have in the community.

"It is important to stress that our efforts in this area don’t end here and we will continue to work with our partners to help remove these harmful and illegal items from circulation.

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“We’d also encourage anyone who notices anything out of the ordinary or suspicious in their community to come forward with information.”

Anyone who has seen something suspicious in their area should get in touch with Northumbria Police by sending a private message on social media, visiting the live chat on their website or by completing a crime update form.

In an emergency or if a crime is taking place, always call 999.