A trusted lorry driver from Craigavon has been revealed as the primary haulier and courier for The Firm, one of Northern Ireland’s most powerful and violent drugs cartels.
Mark Burke, aged 28, pleaded guilty to possessing £2 million worth of cannabis with intent to supply, following a major seizure at Belfast Port in June 2023.
While on bail for nearly three years, he reportedly set up a car recovery business, helping stranded motorists across north Armagh and beyond, many of whom had no idea about his alleged senior role in the cartel.
Key Facts About the Case:
- 130kg of cannabis with an estimated street value of £2 million seized
- Burke paid up to £10,000 per smuggling trip to England
- Drugs hidden in a trailer behind tents and mattresses from a Christian festival
- Arrest made during a joint PSNI and Border Force operation at Belfast Port
- Burke pleaded guilty in late 2025; sentencing delayed due to barristers’ strike
Details of the £2 Million Cannabis Smuggling Operation
According to court evidence, Burke used his legitimate haulage work as cover to transport large quantities of cannabis from England to Northern Ireland. On the fateful trip in June 2023, police stopped his lorry at Belfast Port and discovered 130kg of vacuum-packed cannabis concealed behind a legitimate load of tents and mattresses.
Burke told officers he had collected the empty trailer, driven it to the Brighton area, and returned via the Scottish ferry port of Cairnryan. He claimed he did not know the full details of the final delivery in Antrim and refused to provide the PIN for his mobile phone during interviews.
The seizure remains one of the largest cannabis hauls ever recorded in Northern Ireland and formed part of a wider investigation into The Firm drugs gang, which dominates cannabis and cocaine distribution across large parts of north Armagh and County Down.
The Firm: Northern Ireland’s Notorious Drugs Cartel and Its Violent History
The Firm has been linked to the control of significant drug territories in Northern Ireland since at least 2019. The gang is alleged to have been involved in the murders of three rival criminals amid disputes over drugs money and territory:
- Malcolm McKeown (2019)
- Shane Whitla
- Kevin Conway
Sources close to the investigation describe Mark Burke as a “senior member” who was paid substantial sums — reportedly £10,000 per successful run — to cross the Irish Sea and bring back huge consignments of cannabis for distribution in Northern Ireland.
Life on Bail: From Drugs Haulier to Car Recovery Operator
Despite pleading guilty to the serious charge of possession of cannabis with intent to supply, Burke has remained on bail. In a move that has angered many locals in north Armagh, he is said to have established a roadside vehicle recovery service. Residents have labelled him a “hypocrite” for portraying himself as an ordinary family man while allegedly helping to flood communities with illegal drugs.
When approached by reporters outside court, Burke declined to comment, asking only whether the story would appear in the Sunday papers.
Previous Criminal Record and Court Proceedings
This is not Burke’s first appearance in court. In 2022, he was fined £1,000 at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court for illegally selling fireworks via Facebook without the required licence.
His barrister previously described the fireworks incident as a “foolish enterprise.” In the cannabis case, defence counsel noted that Burke provided a detailed account of his journey and identified the trailer owner, claiming the legitimate cargo came from a Christian festival in Brighton.
Police had opposed bail, citing concerns that Burke could attempt to repay losses to the organised crime group or interfere with the investigation. He was described as a “wholesale facilitator” in the supply chain.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Mark Burke and The Firm Drugs Case
Who is Mark Burke and what was his role in The Firm?
Mark Burke, 28, from the Craigavon area (with links to Baird Avenue and previously Donaghcloney), is accused of being the main haulier and courier for The Firm, transporting large shipments of cannabis from England to Northern Ireland using his lorry.
What happened in the £2 million cannabis bust at Belfast Port?
In June 2023, PSNI and Border Force officers discovered 130kg of cannabis (valued at £2 million) hidden in Burke’s trailer behind tents and mattresses. The drugs were vacuum-packed and concealed among legitimate cargo.
Has Mark Burke been sentenced yet?
Burke pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis with intent to supply in late 2025. Sentencing has been delayed due to ongoing barristers’ strike issues. He remains on bail as of April 2026.
What is The Firm drugs gang in Northern Ireland?
The Firm is a major organised crime network operating primarily in north Armagh and County Down. It is linked to large-scale cannabis and cocaine distribution and has been associated with several gangland murders.
Why is this case significant for Northern Ireland’s drug crime?
The £2 million seizure is one of the largest cannabis hauls in the region. It highlights how legitimate haulage businesses can be exploited by organised crime groups and raises questions about community safety and the double lives of those involved.
Community Reaction and Broader Implications
Locals in the Craigavon and north Armagh area have expressed outrage, describing the situation as “a joke” and questioning how someone who admitted involvement in such a significant drugs operation could continue operating a public-facing roadside assistance business.
The case underscores ongoing challenges with organised crime, drug trafficking routes between Britain and Ireland, and the difficulties in bringing senior figures in gangs like The Firm to justice promptly.
Authorities continue to investigate the wider network, with concerns remaining about potential retaliation or attempts to recoup financial losses from the seized consignment.
This article is for informational purposes based on publicly reported court proceedings and police operations as of April 2026. All individuals are entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty in a court of law. For the latest updates, refer to official PSNI or court sources.
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