Mr Darie Istrate of The Hatch, Enfield was stopped by police officers during operation CUBO on 23 November 2022 at Mayesbrook Park, Dagenham and was found to have a large amount of waste in the back of his vehicle including cardboard, plastic, old builder’s buckets, household and commercial waste.
Due to the amount of waste, Barking and Dagenham Council’s Environmental Enforcement Officers asked Mr Istrate for his Waste Carrier License, but he was unable to provide one.
As a discharge of liability from prosecution, Mr Istrate was issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) of £150 and if paid within 14 days, no further action would be taken.
However, the offender from Enfield, appealed the FPN, and so didn’t pay.
The appeal was rejected, and Mr Istrate was summoned to Barkingside Magistrates Court.
The case was heard on Tuesday 3 October and in his absence, Mr Istrate was found guilty and ordered to pay a £2,500 fine (reduced from £5,000), £1,000 Victim Surcharge and costs to Barking and Dagenham Council of £490, totalling £3,990.
Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety said: ““This is the council’s zero-tolerance approach to fly-tipping in action. I’m really pleased proactive efforts led by our officers are delivering results and prevented Mr Istrate from dumping this waste in our borough.
“We won’t stand for it and I hope the huge fine issued sends a warning to anyone who is doing the same or planning to do so.”
If residents are aware of someone transferring waste illegally, they can report it to the council by emailing grimecrime@lbbd.gov.uk.