A LORRY load of contraband cigarettes bound for the North-East has been seized by customs officers.

More than 4.5m smuggled cigarettes were found concealed in the back of an Italian-registered lorry.

The discovery comes less than a week after a four-day operation uncovered more than half a million cigarettes, stores of contraband rolling tobacco and alcohol at 188 premises across the North-East.

More than 40 customs officers were involved in raids on properties in County Durham, Teesside, Newcastle, Northumberland, Wearside and South Tyneside.

On this occasion, the lorry was stopped by five officers from Leeds, helped by the police, on the A1 at Wetherby on Tuesday.

The illegal goods were hidden in boxes marked as containing pasta. Customs officials are convinced the contraband cargo was heading for this region.

Two men, one from the UK, the other a foreign national, were arrested but released pending further inquiries.

Rob Hastings-Trew, customs spokesman for the region, said yesterday: "We believe this consignment was heading for the North-East.

"Although there was insufficient evidence to charge either of the men arrested, we are delighted to have prevented these cigarettes from reaching the streets of this country."

The tax on the latest haul totals £612,800.