With congestion pricing now in effect in New York City, officials announced Tuesday a crackdown on drivers who try to obscure their license plates, or use "ghost plates," to get out of paying the new toll.

As part of a the MTA's congestion pricing plan, commuters will be charged a toll upon entering parts of Manhattan during specific times.

MTA Chairman Janno Lieber took to the airwaves to defend City's congestion pricing from what he called “grievance politics” Tuesday, ahead of the second rush-hour under the controversial tolling plan,

The toll, known as congestion pricing, is meant to reduce traffic gridlock in densely packed Manhattan while also raising money to help fix the city’s ailing public transit infrastructure. It formally took effect Sunday.

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Three days after congestion pricing began, officials are already tackling toll evasion and cracking down on drivers breaking the law. One city council member is also facing criticism after explaining how to disable the cameras.

New York City kicked off the first congestion pricing program in the US, part of an effort to reduce the number of vehicles in the world’s most traffic-clogged urban area while raising money for transit infrastructure.

One day after New York City completed its first full weekday of the new congestion pricing tolling program, police are cracking down on motorists trying to bypass the system.Assisting the MTA, the NYPD stopped several drivers who tried to cover up parts of their license plates to avoid being charged as they entered the congestion zone.

Anticipating a rise in so-called "ghost vehicles" with the advent of congestion pricing, New York City officials are looking to give police more leeway to go after drivers who hide or obstruct their license plates.