CUSTOMS officers are turning up the heat on North-East tobacco smugglers.
They are to launch a leafleting campaign on Monday in an attempt to trap the criminals who are involved in the lucrative trade.
More than 75,000 leaflets are being distributed giving details of a free confidential hotline number.
Spokesman Rob Hastings-Trew said yesterday: "This is not a victimless crime and costs the country £3.8bn a year."
Anyone with information about bootleg cigarettes or alcohol is asked to call Customs on (0800) 595000.
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 The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.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