charged with cultivating cannabis and possessing a semi-automatic pistol.

Jody Derek Wilson, of Band Room Lane, stood impassively as Senior Magistrate William Francis read out a list of seven drug and firearm charges against him.

He was not required to enter a plea to them as they are indictable and have to be tried in the Supreme Court.

All the offences were alleged to have occurred at Wilson's residence on March 23 and include possession of cannabis with intent to supply; cultivating cannabis; possession of cannabis; being the occupant or person in charge of a premises and allowing the misuse of a controlled drug there; possession of drug equipment; possession of a Ruger P-80 semi-automatic pistol and possession of live Black Hills nine millimetre cartridges.

Wilson was represented by lawyer Mark Pettingill while Crown Counsel Charlene Scott appeared for the prosecution.

Ms Scott objected to bail on the grounds that the offences were serious and indictable.

She noted that firearm offences carried sentences up to 15 years imprisonment and added that the value of the cannabis seized was "up to $150,000''.

Mr. Pettingill said the evidence against his client was "by no means overwhelming'' and warned that the case would be "vigorously defended if they (Police) proceed against him''.

He said Wilson had been held in custody for longer than the legal limit while his wife was held "illegally at the Co-Ed Facility'' before being released without being charged.

"This sort of behaviour by Police is becoming a trend,'' he noted. "We can't file writs of Habeas Corpus every time this happens.'' Mr. Pettingill said the Crown's objections to bail were not strenuous and his client was entitled to bail in the "interest of fairness''.

Mr. Francis asked what the weight of the seized cannabis was and was informed that it was between seven and eight pounds.

He then granted Wilson $8,000 bail with a like surety and ordered him to surrender his travel documents, have no contact with any witnesses in the case and report to Hamilton Police Station on Mondays and Fridays.

Mr. Francis then set the matter down for mention on April 23.