A million illegal cigarettes seized by police along with drugs and air rifle in Winlaton raids

Two men in their 60s were arrested following the discovery and have since been released under investigation

Police seized drugs, weapons and a million illegal cigarettes after searching a horse box as part of dawn raids this week.

Officers executed a warrant at a home in Winlaton in Gateshead on Wednesday morning as it was believed there could be stolen goods there.

A stash of cannabis was found as well as hundreds of thousands of cigarettes inside a large horse wagon.

Hundreds of thousands of cigarettes were also seized from farmland linked to the home on Holinhill Lane.

Police have revealed that a total of a million suspected illegal cigarettes were taken off the streets.

Officers also seized an air rifle during the search along with a number of suspected stolen power tools.

A 61-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen property and a 62-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possessing cannabis. They have both since been released under investigation.

The investigation has since been passed to Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) who will carry out an investigation into the illegal sale of cigarettes.

Detective chief inspector Steve Byrne, of Northumbria Police’s CID, said officers would continue to do all they can to disrupt organised criminality.

He said: “This operation was the result of weeks of preparation and we are pleased to have taken these suspected illegal items off our streets.

“Often we see organised crime groups involved in this type of activity with the intention of making money so they can continue to fund their illicit activities.

“We are committed to pursuing criminals and protecting our communities as part of Operation Sentinel, which is our collaborative approach to tackling serious and organised crime.

“That work will continue but we need the help of the public to disrupt organise crime and prevent the sale of illegal drugs and goods.

“If you see any suspicious activity in your neighbourhood then pick up the phone and call us. We can work with partners to make our streets a safer place to live.”

Anyone with information about illegal activity in their neighbourhood can call police on 101, report online at the Northumbria Police website or call independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.