A qualified pilot who attempted to smuggle £2.4 million worth of cocaine into the UK using a light aircraft has admitted his role in a major drug trafficking plot.
The aircraft used by the drug traffickers
Anastasios Balian, the pilot, and his accomplice Errol McCardo Weir were intercepted by Border Force officers on 20 March 2025 after landing at North Weald airfield in Epping, Essex, following a flight from Belgium via Calais.
Anastasios Balin
The pair were arrested as part of a targeted operation led by the National Crime Agency (NCA). A search of their small aircraft revealed a professionally constructed concealment hidden behind the rear seats. Inside, officers discovered 30 one-kilogram blocks of Class A drugs—cocaine—with a combined estimated street value of £2.4 million.
Errol McCardo Weir
The NCA confirmed that both men have since pleaded guilty to drug trafficking offences.
“This was a calculated and brazen attempt to smuggle large quantities of cocaine into the country using a light aircraft,” said an NCA spokesperson. “The concealment was sophisticated, and the value of the drugs significant. It’s thanks to our partnership with Border Force and other agencies that this route was shut down.”
Seized cocaine
The aircraft was seized at the scene, and investigations have confirmed that the flight originated in mainland Europe. Authorities suspect the smuggling method was part of a broader network aiming to avoid more heavily monitored ports and entry points.
In a statement, the NCA reiterated its commitment to combating the trafficking of Class A drugs into the UK.
“Working with key partners such as Border Force, the NCA will continue to do all it can to fight the threat of Class A drugs,” the agency added.
