Remains of cannabis farm dumped at Welsh beauty spot

Five people have been ordered to pay a combined fine of more than £6,000 after the remains of a cannabis farm were illegally dumped in a beauty spot in the Neath Valley. Neath Port Talbot Council successfully prosecuted four men and a woman following an extensive investigation into fly-tipped waste discovered on land owned by Natural Resources Wales in Rheola forestry near Resolven. The council said a combination of evidence, including documents found within the waste, CCTV footage, witness accounts and extensive questioning, led to the successful prosecution of five individuals. In total, the defendants were ordered to pay £6,822 following proceedings at Swansea Magistrates' Court. Stay informed on everything Neath Port Talbot by signing up to our newsletter here During an earlier hearing in February 2026, four defendants admitted offences connected to the incident. Ian Jenkins pleaded guilty to failing in his duty of care to ensure waste was disposed of lawfully. Stephen Powell admitted being in control of a vehicle used to unlawfully deposit controlled waste, while Keiron Powell and Darcy Thomas pleaded guilty to unlawfully depositing controlled waste and transporting waste without a waste carrier's licence. Anthony Jones and another man denied the allegations against them, with their cases proceeding to trial. At Swansea Magistrates' Court on May 21, 2026, Jones was found guilty of failing to ensure the waste was disposed of lawfully. The second defendant was found not guilty. Following this, Keiron Powell, 29, of Greenwood Road, Neath, was fined £700 after being convicted under Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. He was also ordered to pay £850 in costs and a victim surcharge of £280, bringing his total financial penalty to £1,830. Stephen John Powell, 54, also of Greenwood Road, Neath, was fined £200 for an offence under Section 33(5) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 after knowingly allowing his vehicle to be used in the commission of the offence. He was ordered to pay £532 in costs and an £80 victim surcharge, totalling £812. Darcy Thomas, 30, of Greenwood Road, Neath, received the same penalty as Keiron Powell, with a £700 fine, £850 in costs and a £280 victim surcharge, resulting in a total of £1,830. Anthony Jones, 32, of Wheatley Road, Neath, was fined £660 after being convicted under Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. He was also ordered to pay £482 in costs and a £264 victim surcharge, bringing his total to £1,406. Ian Jenkins, 39, of no fixed abode, was fined £330 and ordered to pay £482 in costs along with a £132 victim surcharge, totalling £944. As part of the court's ruling, the vehicle used in the offence has been forfeited to Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council. The authority is now assessing the condition of the vehicle and considering its future, with the possibility that it could be crushed. Councillor Scott Jones, Cabinet Member for Streetscene at Neath Port Talbot Council, said: "We have beautiful areas of forestry and countryside throughout the Neath Port Talbot County and people should be able to enjoy it responsibly without encountering dangerous deposits like this. "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." James Roseblade, land management senior officer for Natural Resources Wales, said illegal waste disposal remained a serious issue affecting communities, the environment and the economy. He said: "Illegal waste disposal continues to be a serious and unacceptable blight on our communities, our environment, and our economy. Tackling this activity and bringing perpetrators to account remains one of our highest priorities. "Waste crime takes many forms, operating at different scales, 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 and will be punished and Natural Resources Wales and its partners will continue to take appropriate enforcement action against those who break the law."