A total of 46 trucks were seized as part of “Operation Meltdown” in New York City, CNN reports.

Mayor Bill de Blasio said the ice cream truck operators had racked up 22,000 summonses and nearly $4.5 million in fines for traffic violations between 2009 and 2017.

The operators are believed to have evaded fines by setting up dozens of “shell” companies and systematically re-registering trucks.

Zachary W. Carter, the city’s corporation counsel, said: “We all know from common experience that ice cream trucks are magnets for children.

“In order to protect this particularly vulnerable category of pedestrians, our traffic laws must be strictly enforced.”

Mayor de Blasio added: “No New Yorker is above the law — especially those who try to ignore public safety laws and create dangerous situations for pedestrians, bikers and drivers.”