Driver in Mostafa Baluch manhunt learns his fate

The truck driver who helped a wanted fugitive and alleged drug lord cross state lines has learnt his fate in court.

The truck driver who helped slip alleged drug lord Mostafa Baluch across state lines during a massive national manhunt will walk free from prison immediately.

Jovanco Kitanovski, 47, learnt his fate inside the Grafton District Court on Wednesday after pleading guilty to perverting the course of justice over his role in the infamous saga.

Kitanovski was stopped by police at the NSW/Queensland border last November while driving a truck with Mr Baluch secreted inside.

Mr Baluch, a wealthy restaurateur and alleged drug kingpin, was arrested after he was discovered inside a Mercedes, which was inside a shipping container loaded onto the truck.

The court was told Kitanovski used his trucking company in the plot and created a false job docket to cover his tracks.

It’s alleged that Mr Baluch – who is charged over his alleged role in importing 900kg of cocaine into Australia – cut off his ankle bracelet, sparking a two-week manhunt.

The court was previously told that Mr Baluch engaged Kitanovski to help him flee house arrest.

Mostafa Baluch was arrested at the NSW/Queensland border. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Police raid the Sydney-based Kit Bros depot following Mr Baluch’s arrest. Picture: Toby Zerna

He collected Mr Baluch from a Bankstown hotel on the morning of November 9 and transported him to the warehouse of his Liverpool-based trucking company Kit Bros, the court was told.

Kitanovski helped Mr Baluch hide in the boot of a Mercedes Benz, which he then drove into a shipping container.

The court was told the container was hoisted onto a truck emblazoned with the name of Kitanovski’s trucking company that he drove from Sydney to the Queensland border.

The court was previously told that Kitanovski was offered between $5000 and $10,000 for his role.

“I find that he was aware Mr Baluch was wanted by the authorities, but he was not fully aware of the extent of the allegations against him,” Judge Jonathan Priestley said in sentencing proceedings on Wednesday.

Mr Baluch sparked a two-week manhunt. Picture: Facebook

Mr Baluch was found inside a shipping container. Picture: NSW Police

Judge Priestley found that the plot lacked sophistication given no attempt was made to disguise the Kit Bros truck, which could be linked directly to Kitanovski.

He said the Macedonian man’s risk of reoffending was negligible and took into account he wanted to get back into the community to support his family.

Judge Priestley also took into account the 11 months Kitanovski had served in custody since his arrest.

He sentenced Kitanovski to 22 months in prison, with the rest of his term to be served in the community via an intensive corrections order.

Mr Baluch remains before the court on the charges related to his alleged escape and role in the alleged drug importation.