A man who regularly dumped bags of litter in Borehamwood streets is due to be deported after a three-year police hunt.

Ah Bing Chen, a failed asylum seeker, was arrested in Lewisham, in south London, on Monday, and sent to Hatfield Magistrates Court on Tuesday this week.

In January 2006, police raided Chen’s Shenley Road flat following an investigation by Hertsmere Borough Council’s environmental health officers.

They seized 100,000 counterfeit cigarettes and a large amount of hand-rolling tabacco and asked customs and excise officers to investigate Chen.

A council spokeswoman said: “Chen had been receiving counterfeit goods daily in parcels from mainland China and dumping the packaging in the street.”

Officers started the investigation after rubbish was regularly found dumped in Shenley Road and Furzehill Road.

“Bags of waste full of cardboard and hollowed-out Chinese telephone directories were appearing almost every night,” said the spokeswoman.

“Investigating officers searched through 63 of the bags to find the clues that led to Chen’s initial arrest.”

In April 2006, St Albans magistrates issued a warrant for Chen’s arrest for failing to appear.

In an appeal for people wanted by Hertfordshire Constabulary last month, the Borehamwood & Elstree Times printed Chen’s picture in an attempt to track him down.

Through an interpreter, Chen told the court on Tuesday he had been living rough in the countryside for the past two years.

Following the hearing he was taken from the court to Hatfield police station where he was taken away by immigration officials.

He is being held at Harmondsworth Detention Centre, from where he will be deported to China.

A Hertfordshire Const-abulary spokeswoman said: “Behaviour such as this is unacceptable as those who flytip are destroying the environment and landscape for those of us who are law-abiding.

“Dumping rubbish in public areas is illegal and we will come down hard on anyone doing this, as demonstrated in this case.”

Chen’s associate, Li Yun Chen, was previously arrested in March 2007 for her part in the fly-tipping and was fined £1,000 with £600 costs.

Councillor Jean Heywood, portfolio holder for the environment, said: “Flytipping is a nuisance and a blight on areas.

“With so many great recycling centres and household tips around, there is no excuse for it. This case shows how you might be able to run, but you won’t be able to hide forever.”

Anyone wishing to report fly tipping can call the council on 020 8207 2277.