MORE than 60,000 illegal cigarettes have been seized from businesses in Bridgwater and Taunton.

The haul, worth thousands of pounds, was recovered by Devon and Somerset Trading Standards Service, when they inspected the premises following a tip-off from a member of the public.

Sniffer dogs were used in the search and hundreds of packets of foreign-labelled cigarettes were found hidden within large crisp boxes.

None of them had been duty-paid, says the service.

Further tests will determine whether the products are also counterfeit.

Fiona Andrews, director of Smokefree South-West, said: “This initiative by Devon & Somerset trading standards officers working in co-operation with Avon & Somerset Police and Smokefree South-West sends a clear message to those who want to sell cheap illegal tobacco in our communities.”

More than 60,000 illegal cigarettes and 11kg of hand-rolling tobacco were removed from the businesses.

Somerset County Cllr David Hall said: “All tobacco is a health hazard but illegal tobacco also brings criminal activity into our communities, and undermines efforts to reduce the harm caused by smoking.”

Cllr Christine Lawrence, chairman of Somerset health and wellbeing board, said: “The public told us clearly during our recent awareness campaign that they don’t want criminals putting our children at risk or making it harder for adults to quit by making illegal tobacco available so cheaply.

“This operation underlines how seriously our partners take the issue.

“Young people are particularly at risk from the illegal trade.

“I would encourage anyone with information about illegal tobacco sellers to inform Trading Standards or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Officers say the investigation is continuing and it is too early to say whether there will be prosecutions.

Anyone caught selling illegal tobacco could face a prison sentence and large fines and licensed premises risk losing their license to sell alcohol even on the first occasion that illegal tobacco is discovered on the premises.