A LONG-RUNNING investigation into a cigarette smuggling ring in North Yorkshire is not over yet, even though almost 1.5 million were seized in a raid on a farm, on the edge of North-allerton, over the weekend.

Police and Customs officers linked up for the operation, which took more than two and half months to plan.

But, despite the success in terms of cigarettes recovered, no one has yet been charged.

"These things take time," said Customs and Excise spokesman, Rob Hastings Trew, yesterday.

"Three people were arrested and later released but we should remember this investigation is on-going.

"As many as 25 rings have been broken around the UK since April last year, and our research indicates the price of smuggled cigarettes is increasing, which is an indication operations like these are working," he added.

The cigarettes seized on Saturday arrived at the warehouse in a load of timber from Eastern Europe, and would have been broken down into smaller numbers for sale in pub car parks across the region.

Mr Hastings Trew emphasised the choice of a quiet, rural location as a distribution point was typical of the smuggling gangs . He urged people from countryside communities to be on their guard.

"They know the normal patterns and, for example, if they were to see a lot of traffic coming and going from far flung barns and farm buildings, we would like to hear from them.''

The Customs and Excise Hotline number is 0800 - 59 5000.