Police in The Hague have raided at least 30 homes and arrested 17 people in a major investigation into criminal networks and housing fraud.

In many cases no-one was registered as living in the apartments which, police say, is a sign that the occupants are living under the radar.

Most of the properties are in the Ypenburg area of the city. Finance ministry investigators and council officials were also involved in the raids, as were dogs trained to sniff out dogs and money, police say.

Drugs, cash and weapons were seized, as were several luxury cars.

According to broadcaster NOS, the raids centred on six apartment blocks in Ypenburg and 200 police and other officials took part.

Three of the men who were arrested come from Zoetermeer, Nootdorp and Rijswijk and acted as letting agents for the owners of the properties. They are suspected of involvement in money laundering.

This article was updated on Tuesday afternoon to reflect the latest news.