A NARACOORTE man accused of dozens of drug trafficking charges has been released on home detention bail as court proceedings progress slowly.
Jason Scott Davies, 45, appeared via video-link in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court to make an application for bail.
Davies was charged with 33 counts of trafficking in a controlled drug following a 12-month investigation by police into a significant ice and cannabis trafficking operation in the South East.
He and several other co-accused were arrested when 43 police officers, led by the South Australian Police Serious and Organised Crime Branch (SOCB), conducted dawn raids on premises in Mount Gambier, Naracoorte and Penola on June 14.
Davies had remained in custody until yesterday when he was released on home detention bail.
The prosecution were not opposed to the strictest form of bail after a report was filed to the court suggesting the home detention address was suitable.
“Given the lack of opposition to bail from the prosecution and given the delay the matter may have getting through the Magistrates Court, I will grant bail,” Magistrate Teresa Andeson said.
Bail was fixed in the sum of $5000 and Davies is not allowed to contact any of the co-accused, except for his son Brenton.
“This is bail of last resort,” Magistrate Anderson said.
“If you breach it then you will be held in custody.”
In previous court appearances, the prosecution have outlined aspects of their case, which will rely predominantly on cryptic telephone intercepts.
Detectives from the Mount Gambier Crime Investigation Branch, dog operations unit and police from the Limestone Coast Local Service Area were involved in uncovering the operation.
Anyone in the community with any information about the sale and manufacture of illicit drugs should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000
