A Bridgwater man found with over 62,000 illegal cigarettes in his shops worth £30,000 has been convicted.

Abdullah Ulgut of Eastover, Bridgwater, pleaded guilty to selling tobacco from his shops in Bridgwater and Taunton.

He was charged with selling, having available to supply and keeping smuggled tobacco which did not have the legally required health warnings or the appropriate duty paid markings, following an investigation by Devon and Somerset Trading Standards Service.

Officers from the service, Avon and Somerset Police and specially trained dog Phoebe, visited his Bridgwater and Taunton shops and seized a total 10.75kg of hand rolling tobacco and 3,120 packs of cigarettes - 62, 400 cigarettes - wit an estimated retail value of £30,000.

The raid followed an undercover investigation when a Trading Standards officer purchased a 50g pouch of hand rolling tobacco in September 2014, which did not have the appropriate health warnings or duty paid marks.

Appearing at Taunton Magistrates Court on Monday, (July 20), Mr. Ulgut was ordered to carry out 160 hours unpaid work and to contribute £910 towards prosecution costs and an £80 victim’s surcharge.

Councillor David Hall, deputy leader of Somerset County Council, said: “These are serious criminal offences. Illegal sales of tobacco in the South West have a huge impact on people’s health.

"When sold at considerably below the price of legal product they undermine efforts to reduce the prevalence of smoking. They encourage people who want to quit, to maintain their habit.

“We will not tolerate the illegal sales of tobacco and will continue to take firm action to stop this type of activity by using our enforcement powers against those we catch.

“Our officers routinely act on intelligence we receive, as they did in this case, so I would encourage consumers to continue to report those involved in selling illicit tobacco because their valuable information can significantly aid our investigations.”

Councillor Ann Bown, chairman of the Somerset Health and Wellbeing Board, added: “Young people are particularly at risk from the illegal trade.

"I would encourage anyone with information about illegal tobacco sellers to report them to Trading Standards or Crimestoppers on 080055-5111.”