SEVEN men have been arrested as part of an extensive investigation into the smuggling of hand rolling tobacco and drugs by a Kent-based criminal organisation.

All the men have home addresses in the county. They were arrested early on Thursday and have been bailed by police until July pending further enquiries. The investigation continues.

Customs chief Steve Baker, assistant director criminal investigation South, said: “The arrests are the result of strenuous efforts by our teams of dedicated officers to disrupt the sophisticated operation of organised criminal gangs behind smuggling in Kent. We are committed to bringing them to justice.”

A statement said: "At about 6.45am on April 26 officers from HM Revenue & Customs Criminal Investigation, based at Dover, and Kent Police carried out a joint operation.

"A number of premises were searched in the Maidstone and Dartford areas and to date, seven arrests have been made. The investigation continues."