Farmer Shocked by Cannabis Waste Dumped on His Land
Rob Morgan, who manages the Gower Fresh Christmas Trees Farm near Swansea, expressed his shock upon discovering 80 bin bags containing over 100 cannabis plants had been dumped on his property.
While Morgan has previously encountered various items being discarded on his land, he described this incident as "a bit of a surprise." He found it disheartening to witness people damaging the land in the Gower area, which he regards as a beautiful place.
The waste was reported by South Wales Police to contain "remnants from a cannabis factory," and an investigation is underway to identify those responsible.
"We've had stolen cars, rubbish and the usual stuff," said Morgan. "But to see 120 cannabis plants, to be honest, it's a bit disappointing."
One of Morgan's workers discovered the bags on Monday night, with indications that they had been "ejected from a vehicle pretty hastily."
Impact on Farm Operations and Environment
Morgan expressed frustration that his staff must handle the cleanup amidst numerous other responsibilities, stating they have "5,001 other jobs to do at the farm."
"Nothing surprises me in farming anymore, but still it's just another hurdle," he added.
Police reported being called to the area shortly before 14:00 BST on 19 May.
"Officers received a report of 75-80 bags of waste illegally dumped in proximity to Sunnyside Farm," the statement added.
Morgan feels that farmers are often left to manage land protection against fly-tipping on their own.
He takes pride in maintaining a tidy environment and organizes regular beach cleans on the Gower, an area celebrated for its landscapes and recognized as the first National Landscape in Britain, according to Visit Wales.
"You see it getting spoiled by someone mindlessly, especially when we've got fields full of wildlife," he said, describing it as "disheartening."
Growing Problem of Fly-Tipping in Wales
This incident occurs amid increasing issues with fly-tipped black bin bags across Wales, with some residents describing the effects as "horrible" on their communities.
The farm's fields are typically home to reindeer, which Morgan described as the "love of my life."
"I look after them like my own children," he said.
Incidents like the dumping pose risks to their safety, prompting Morgan to implement additional security measures such as padlocks on the gates.
"If something happens to my reindeer, like them getting out, it's going to be heartbreaking for me," he said, referring to the risk of gates being left open.
Ongoing Police Investigation
A police spokesperson confirmed that the investigation to identify those responsible for dumping the waste is ongoing.
"An investigation into identifying the individuals who have dumped the waste is ongoing."
