A Tyrone lorry driver has appeared in court accused of smuggling 34 kilos of cannabis across the Irish Sea.
Alan Moore (46) was arrested after police set up a checkpoint at Larne Harbour in the early hours of Saturday.
The court heard the cannabis seized had an estimated value of £500,000.
Moore confirmed he understood the two charges against him alleging that on March 29 this year, he had cannabis and was in possession of the class B drug with intent to supply.
A police officer told the court that the Scania lorry being driven by Moore had different registration plates on the cab and trailer.
The detective added that when Moore was spoken to he claimed he had “personally” loaded the trailer himself and there was “no contraband or drugs within the trailer.”
Describing how the trailer was loaded with hay bales, the detective said towards the back of the trailer there was an 18” gap between bales and using their torches, officers were able to see cardboard boxes and when those were opened police uncovered six kilos of vacuum packed cannabis.
The trailer was moved to DAERA’s yard and after using a forklift to unload the trailer, officers uncovered three further boxes and more vacuum packed cannabis with the total weight of the haul coming to 34 kilos.
During questioning Moore, from the Killeen Road in Victoria Bridge, claimed he had collected the hay bales in Cambridgeshire and was on his way home when he stopped at a layaway and was propositioned by a man he named as “Geoff.”
He further claimed that Geoff had a friend Olly and he agreed to transport the boxes for £300 a box, giving Geoff his mobile phone number before they parted ways and he stashed them in between the hay bales.
Moore told officers he believed they were filled with chai tea or vapes which were destined for onward transpiration to the Republic but couldn’t be couriered normally due to Brexit rules.
Defence counsel Grant Powles said there was “no evidence before the court” to suggest that Moore was involved in the drugs trade.
Moore was remanded into custody the case adjourned to April 24.