The Tribune

By NICO SCAVELLA

Tribune Staff Reporter

nscavella@tribunemedia.net

A MAN allegedly involved in a major drug trafficking gang has had his bail application granted by a Supreme Court judge, The Tribune understands. 

Ian Porter, 45, is believed to have been granted bail of $20,000 by Justice Cheryl Grant-Bethel on Thursday. He is also required to wear an ankle bracelet and sign in twice a week. 

Porter is one of eight persons - seven men and a woman - who were remanded to prison in January after being charged in connection with a $341,000 drug seizure on the Eastern Road. 

Porter and Andre Porter, 42, along with Devon Campbell, 36, Zintworn Duncombe, 28, Ilano Noel, 21, and the 26-year-olds Jimmy Joseph, Sean Major and Deneal Knowles all faced a charge of conspiracy to possess dangerous drugs with intent to supply when they stood before Magistrate Andrew Forbes in January. 

Police believe some of the eight accused are members of a major organised drug trafficking ring, according to reports. 

According to police, shortly after 6am on January 16, Drug Enforcement Unit officers went to a home on Eastern Road where they searched a Dodge Caravan and allegedly discovered 10 crocus sacks containing 341 pounds of marijuana. 

The discovery led to the initial arrest of four men and one woman. 

It is alleged that all eight accused colluded to possess the drugs for distribution between January 4 and January 14. 

Andre Porter, Duncombe, Joseph and Noel were further charged with actual possession of the dangerous drugs with intent to supply. 

All eight accused denied the respective charges they faced when called to enter a plea. 

As magistrates no longer have the discretion to consider bail for these offences, they were denied bail and remanded to the Department of Correctional Services to await trail.