The captured cigarettes had a street value of more than �35,000

Three flights arriving in the early hours of Monday were targeted.

The majority of the haul was seized from a flight from Alicante in Spain.

Passengers were alerted over the airport's pubic address system that customs would checking luggage.

Much of the contraband was abandoned in suitcases, but some people were caught trying to bypass customs officials.

As a result of the exercise customs officers from the regional strike force and local anti-smuggling staff, netted 157,000 cigarettes including 117,000 from the Alicante flight.

Colin Fraser, who leads the regional strike force said," We used this technique recently at Teesside Airport and 150,000 cigarettes were abandoned in 48 hours.

"At Newcastle many passengers chose to leave their excess cigarettes either in the bin or on the baggage carousel.

"However we also seized 53,000 cigarettes from those who tried to run the gauntlet."

Rob Hastings-Trew, Customs spokesman for north-east England, added " The seized cigarettes had a retail value of over �35,000.

"The quantities involved indicate to us that these were not returning holidaymakers, but organised gangs who had travelled with the express purpose of smuggling.

"Their actions continue to have a considerable affect on shopkeepers trying to make an honest living selling cigarettes and tobacco."