Local residents have fought back against drug-using fly-tippers after outrage spread across a British beauty hotspot.
A much-loved Welsh town has appeared to be riddled with canisters of nitrous oxide – a class C drug – which is more commonly known as laughing gas.
So far, volunteers have cleared up 60 boxes of the canisters which had been strewn across a mountain in Conwy county, Wales.
The discovery was made on the Sychnant Pass above Penmaenmawr, where most boxes were empty but around 30 unopened canisters were also found intertwined in thick brambles.
So far, volunteers have cleared up 60 boxes of the canisters (Stock)
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Organised by the Carneddau Mountain Pony Society with extra help from the local community, the clean-up began right after the rubbish was dumped just over a week ago.
As a beautiful party of the country, the area is popular with walkers and families, making the dumping of such materials particularly concerning for local residents and environmental groups.
Volunteer Zina Kornishina said: “How often do you see class C drugs scattered around the mountain?”
“We were concerned that it could be harmful to wildlife, sheep or the Carneddau mountain ponies which roam the area,” Zina explained.
“When we saw what actually was dumped, we had to clear it up before any drug dealers or users found it, or some silly kids got themselves in trouble with misuse.”
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The cannisters collected were branded “Miami Magic Infusions”, a US-based company that supplies products to bars and restaurants for items like whipped cream and flavour-infused cocktails but misuse of the gas can cause serious health problems.
Inhalation of the drug can cause neurological damage, and has also been associated with antisocial behaviour. It has also been linked to deaths caused by a lack of oxygen or inhaling while driving.
A local council spokeswoman said: “There is no excuse for fly tipping and local residents should not have to tolerate this type of behaviour by a small minority of irresponsible people who break the law.”
When sufficient evidence is found to identify those responsible, “appropriate action will be taken, including prosecution through the courts”, she added.
The canisters were scattered across the beautiful Welsh countryside (Stock)
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Among the items recovered was a receipt for a McDonald’s purchase in Caernarfon, which volunteers suggested could help authorities track down those responsible.
The council is urging anyone with information about the incident to contact their Regulatory Services.
During the clean-up, more than eight bin bags full of rubbish were collected and taken away from the site.
Meanwhile, on social media, residents raged, with one man commenting: “How anyone in their right mind could consider this acceptable is totally beyond comprehension.”
“It’s never acceptable, anywhere, let alone this beautiful part of the world. Heart-breaking and disgusting.”
