CUSTOMS officials have warned owners of light aircraft they face the seizure of their planes if they are used to smuggle drugs or tobacco into the country.

The caution comes in the wake of the confiscation of a Piper Cherokee PA28 single engine monoplane at Newcastle Airport, following the discovery of 60 kilos of hand rolling tobacco, 600 cigarettes and 350 cigars during a customs search on its arrival from Belgium.

North-East Customs spokesman Rob Hastings-Trew said: "To offset running costs, the owners of the Piper Cherokee regularly hired out the aircraft to a small number of pilots.

"In this case, they were unaware the aircraft had been used in a smuggling attempt - but, although it was restored free of Customs penalties, the owners still had to pay substantial charges to the airfield to cover the time the aircraft was detained.

"Our message to owners is 'make sure you know who is using your plane - and what they are using it for'."

Pilots, owners of light aircraft and other members of the public can assist in combating smuggling by reporting suspicious circumstances on the Customs Confidential Hotline, 0800 59 5000.