CRIMINALS smuggling foreign nationals and bootleg goods into the North-East have been targeted in a police crackdown.
Forty-six foreign nationals were arrested under the Immigration Act during Operation Tag and are being questioned.
Northumbria Police netted £9,000 in smuggled booze and tobacco in the force-wide operation, supported by HM Customs and Excise, the Immigration Service and trading standards.
About 480 vehicles were stopped and checked by police on main roads in the force area, in the run-up to Christmas. Officers also covered Newcastle Airport and ferry terminals.
Northumbria Police said illegal imports near Christmas, and links between smuggling and organised crime, were always a source of concern.
Assistant Chief Constable John Scott said: "There was a strong likelihood that illegal goods entering the region would increase before Christmas.
"We were also concerned about the continuing trafficking of foreign nationals.
"The two were linked by our concerns that organised crime groups could be involved in both, and making profits to further their activities."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article