Lorry Driver Caught with £620,000 of Cannabis Hidden in Chicken Load
A lorry driver smuggling a massive £620,000 stash of cannabis from the Netherlands to Northern Ireland has been jailed for two-and-a-half years. Sergei Bacaianov, 42, from Blanchardstown, Republic of Ireland, was busted by the National Crime Agency (NCA) after Border Force officers stopped his ferry-bound truck.
Ferry Search Uncovers Clever Cannabis Hideout
On May 4, 2023, Bacaianov was travelling from Holland to Killingholme port in Lincolnshire. His trailer was loaded with fresh chicken — or so it seemed. Officers noticed suspicious signs: new welding and paintwork on the trailer’s floor.
A thorough search revealed two secret compartments beneath the floor. Inside were sliding drawers holding five metal trays each. These trays concealed 31 kilos of high-value cannabis worth an estimated £620,000 on the streets.
Denial Falls Apart as DNA Links Driver to Drugs
Bacaianov initially denied knowledge of the drugs, insisting he was only delivering legal goods. But DNA evidence tied him to the loading process, proving he was part of the cunning operation.
He pleaded guilty at Grimsby Crown Court on September 25, admitting partial knowledge of the smuggling but claiming ignorance of the full extent. Today (October 2), he was sentenced to 30 months in prison and will face deportation after serving his time.
NCA Cracks Down on Freight Crime
“Sergei Bacaianov was not only aware of the illegal load but involved in hiding it beneath his trailer to slip past border checks,” said NCA Belfast Branch Commander David Cunningham. “We believe these drugs were bound for the streets of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, funding further serious crime.”
Cunningham stressed the NCA’s ongoing fight against freight crime. “We work closely with partners at home and abroad to stop crooks using legitimate freight carriers to smuggle drugs into the UK.”
The NCA’s message is clear: anyone caught smuggling illegal goods will be tracked down, their vehicles seized, and punished to the fullest extent.
