MORE than 500,000 contraband cigarettes have been seized by customs officials in raids across the North-East.

Customs and Excise investigators revealed that premises in Newcastle, Sunderland, Durham and Darlington were raided over five days last month, yielding a haul of 506,440 smuggled cigarettes and 111kg of hand-rolled tobacco. Officers also confiscated three vehicles used in smuggling the tobacco.

Three people were also arrested during the raids and investigations are continuing.

The region, identified by Customs as a key area for the distribution of smuggled tobacco, is going to be the focus of special attention by the enforcement agency, with fliers put through the doors of homes throughout the region, carrying the warning: "Customs will catch you and you will be punished".

Similar warnings are to appear on billboards in targeted areas and even printed on beer mats and broadcast on local radio.

Posters will be put up in pubs and football club washrooms, and advertisements placed in the regional Press.

Treasury and Customs Minister John Healey said: "This campaign, beginning with the North-East, will leave those who deal in smuggled tobacco in no doubt that they will be caught and punished. They must not think they can get away with robbing public services of money, hurting local businesses and selling cigarettes to children.

"Customs have a difficult job to do, not only at our ports and airports, but throughout the country," he said.

"They are working with local police and other agencies at every stage in the supply chain to make sure that the illegal tobacco trade is brought under control."