Eden Community Police Officers intercepted out of area doorstep pedlars on Tuesday on the Scaws estate in Penrith and in Newbiggin village following complaints from residents about the groups knocking on doors.
The groups were claiming to be on a prisoner-release scheme as they went door knocking trying to sell items to households in the area.
The were reported for selling without a pedlars licence and possession of cannabis.
Cumbria Police said “please do not trade with cold callers you do not know on the doorstep & alert any vulnerable relatives - thankyou for alerting us to these males”.