£1m of cannabis that fell off horsebox on M1 was ‘hidden inside bales of hay’

A judge was told the rest of the cargo was tied back down before the lorry “disappeared”.

Details emerged as bail was refused to a 33-year-old man accused of having the haul seized last month.

Nathan Greene, Drumaknockan Lane in Hillsborough, Co Down, is charged with possessing Class B drugs with intent to supply.

Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard the vehicle shed its load near the Blacks Road junction of the M1 in south Belfast on October 3.

Three bales of hay were discovered with 57 kilos of cannabis inside them. The drugs have an estimated street value of £1.14m.

CCTV footage allegedly shows Greene securing another five bales back on top of the horsebox before it left the scene.

Police are still trying to locate both the vehicle and the rest of the hay.

When Greene was arrested three days later he claimed to have sold the lorry to “a friend of a friend”.

Defence barrister Joel Lindsay revealed his client works in transporting horses between the UK and Ireland.

“We can only read between the lines about what has perhaps happened here,” counsel said.

“It may well be he was put under certain duress to carry these things.”

Mr Lindsay argued that Greene poses no risk of re-offending.

“The lorry and whatever drugs were on it have long since gone,” the barrister insisted.

“He (Greene) is poison for anyone dealing in drugs because police will be watching him 24/7.”

Denying bail, however, District Judge Peter Magill held that the accused could frustrate the ongoing police investigation if released.

“He’s allegedly seen on top of the lorry securing the other five bales, and the lorry and bails then disappear,” Mr Magill pointed out.

“The lorry is out there, and the other bales are out there.”