Driver with £600k worth of drugs in lorry bailed

A LORRY driver charged in connection with the seizure of £600,000 worth of herbal cannabis in Belfast has been granted High Court bail.

John McFadden (45) was arrested after 32kg of drugs were recovered during a search of his vehicle in the Dargan Road area.

The father-of-five, from Strabane, Co Tyrone, told police he thought he was transporting tobacco for a £200 payment.

Ruling that McFadden can be released from custody, a judge described the case as a “tragedy” for him and his family.

Lord Justice McCloskey said: “He has found himself in the middle of a drugs offence involving substantial quantities and very high monetary values.”

McFadden, whose address cannot be reported, faces a charge of possessing Class B drugs with intent to supply.

Prosecution barrister Conor Maguire said the plastic-wrapped parcels of herbal cannabis with an estimated street value of £600,000 were inside three boxes found in his lorry on October 10. Mr Maguire told the court: “He replied after caution ‘What is a Class B drug, if you don’t mind me asking?’”

During interviews the accused claimed he never touched the boxes placed on his trailer by a man he met at an industrial estate.

Defence counsel insisted McFadden fully co-operated with detectives, maintaining he knew nothing about what was in the packages.

After hearing from the accused’s wife, Lord Justice McCloskey granted bail on conditions including a £2,000 cash surety.