A BLITZ on criminals using Liverpool John Lennon Airport yesterday resulted in 18 arrests and helped track high-ranking members of the criminal underworld.

Merseyside Police and HM Courts Service carried out a 13-hour joint operation at the airport yesterday.

At any one time 36 officers scoured the airport for criminal activity making 384 checks. More than £1,100 was recovered in unpaid fines and six people wanted for either failing to attend court or who have failed to pay large fines were also taken into custody.

A cannabis smuggler was arrested at close to 6pm, as the operation was about to draw to a close.

Superintendent Phil Barr said: “One of the things we often overlook is the importance of intelligence gathering in operations such as this.

“We’ve gathered information on the movements of a couple of significant players going in and out of the country.

“We also picked up a Russian national who was wanted for robbery and a man who had been banned from visiting the Isle of Man because of drug running charges.”

Operation Turn-Up took officers from across the force and ended up “turning up” a stolen car as a by-product.

A Criminal Justice Board spokesman said: “Merseyside’s criminal justice agencies are determined to crack down on offenders who have failed to appear at court.

“We are sending out a clear message to the criminal fraternity today that they must pay up or risk losing their holiday.”