SIX people have been arrested as part of an investigation into an alleged £1million-plus cigarette smuggling and money laundering operation.

Lancashire Police's Serious and Organised Crime Unit detained the suspects after an eight-month investigation across the county.

A man in his late 50s, from central Blackburn; a man in his mid-40s, from Great Harwood; a man in his mid-40s from Billington, near Whalley; and a couple from Lower Darwen, a man in his mid-40s and a woman in her late 30s; were all arrested in simultaneous swoops at about 7.30am yesterday.

A man in his mid-50s was also arrested in the Cottam area of Preston. The arrests were part of a joint operation between Lancashire Police and HM Customs.

Today the senior investigating officer revealed a group is suspected of smuggling 'thousands and thousands' of cigarettes and rolling tobacco into the country through ports and airports, before investing cash made on the contraband in property, believed to be worth more than £1million, across the North West.

Officers hope to seize property under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Sergeant Martin Kane said: "From the police point of view in the last few years there has been a move to strip criminals of their assets. We used to be more concerned over catching people and sending them to prison. Now we also try to strip them of their assets.

"What is suspected is organised tobacco smuggling. At this stage in the investigation things have been very positive and we are pleased with the progress so far."

The suspects are being questioned at police stations across the county.

Police have 24 hours to interrogate suspects, before special permission has to be sought from a superintendent to hold them for a further 12 hours. If more investigation is required, the suspects could be released on police bail.