Fly-tippers ordered to pay nearly £7,000 following investigation in Neath Valley
FIVE people have been ordered to pay a combined total of almost £7,000 after a fly-tip containing waste linked to a cannabis farm was dumped on forestry land in the Neath Valley.
The prosecutions followed an investigation by Neath Port Talbot Council after waste was illegally deposited at Rheola Forestry near Resolven, on land owned by Natural Resources Wales (NRW).
Evidence recovered from the scene, including correspondence found among the waste, CCTV footage, witness statements and further enquiries, led investigators to identify those involved.
The case was heard at Swansea Magistrates’ Court, where four defendants had previously pleaded guilty to a range of environmental offences. A fifth defendant was found guilty following a trial on May 21, 2026.
The court heard that the dumped waste included items associated with a cannabis cultivation operation.
Keiron Powell, 29, of Greenwood Road, Neath, and Darcy Thomas, 30, also of Greenwood Road, admitted unlawfully depositing controlled waste and transporting waste without a waste carrier’s licence. Both were fined £700, ordered to pay £850 costs and a £280 victim surcharge, bringing their total penalties to £1,830 each.
Stephen John Powell, 54, of Greenwood Road, Neath, pleaded guilty to knowingly allowing a vehicle under his control to be used in the unlawful disposal of waste. He was ordered to pay a total of £812.
Anthony Jones, 32, of Wheatley Road, Neath, was found guilty after trial of failing in his duty of care to ensure waste was disposed of lawfully. He was fined £660 and ordered to pay costs and a surcharge totalling £1,406.
Ian Jenkins, 39, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to a similar duty of care offence and was ordered to pay £944.
In total, the five defendants were ordered to pay £6,822.
The magistrates also ordered that the vehicle used in the fly-tipping offence be forfeited to Neath Port Talbot Council. The local authority is now considering whether the vehicle will be retained or destroyed.
Councillor Scott Jones, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Streetscene, welcomed the outcome.
“We have beautiful areas of forestry and countryside throughout Neath Port Talbot and people should be able to enjoy them responsibly without encountering dangerous deposits like this,” he said.
“We hope this sends a strong message that regardless of how minor you think your role is in the illegal disposal of waste, you will still be held responsible.”
Natural Resources Wales also welcomed the convictions.
James Roseblade, Land Management Senior Officer for NRW, said illegal waste disposal remained a significant problem across Wales.
“Illegal waste disposal continues to be a serious and unacceptable blight on our communities, our environment and our economy,” he said.
“Waste crime takes many forms and costs businesses, landowners and taxpayers millions of pounds each year. It also causes significant harm to the environment, human health and wildlife.
“We welcome the court’s decision in this case and hope it sends a clear message that waste-related crime will not be tolerated.”
Natural Resources Wales and local authorities continue to urge members of the public to ensure anyone removing waste on their behalf is properly licensed and authorised to dispose of it legally.
