Police pulled over 16 vehicles including a van carrying an estimated £15,000 of non-refrigerated food destined for a restaurant during an operation on the M1 in Northamptonshire.
Northamptonshire Police joined forces with HM Revenue and Customs, Leicestershire Police, environmental health officers and VOSA (Vehicle & Operator Services Agency) yesterday to target vehicle crime.
The operation, which took part over the Northamptonshire and Leicestershire borders on the M1, close to Crick, targeted vans and lorries.
A force spokesman confirmed today that of the 34 vehicles stopped, 16 were found to be illegal and two arrests were made for immigration offences.
Pc Dave Lee, kept his Twitter followers up-to-date with the operation.
He wrote: “Got a non-refrigerated van pulled in that is two tonnes overweight and contains frozen, chilled and ambient food
“Have contacted the relevant authority who are attending to look at the conditions of this food that was en route to a restaurant.”
Speaking today, Chief Inspector Dave Lawson said: “A range checks were made, such as whether the driver had exceeded the legal number of hours on the road, if the vehicles had faults or defects and that they were insured, taxed and had up-to-date MOTs.
“A range of problems were found, for example, one was taken off the road immediately for dangerous tyres, one was given a notice to repair faulty lights within a set time and there were vehicles over the legal weight.”