A man facing drugs charges was granted bail yesterday despite Police finding gold bars, diamonds, three passports and a large bundle of cash in his house when it was raided.

News of the discovery was revealed when Kennith Bulford, 35, appeared at Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

It was also revealed Bulford purchased tickets to France and attempted to leave the Island while on Police bail for the matter.

Bulford was attempting to get bail, having pleaded not guilty to having five pieces of pipe allegedly used for cocaine use. He also denies permitting his residence in Beacon Hill, Sandys, to be used for the use of a controlled drug.

Bulford claimed he was not home when officers raided the premises last October 30. However, arguing against him being given bail, Prosecutor Robert Welling said Police found a safe during the raid containing $57,450 worth of goods.

The items included three passports, three birth certificates, a box containing two gold bars, a plastic bag containing diamonds and other gold items, as well as a large bundle of US and Bermuda cash currency.

The prosecutor told the court that the extent of Bulford's property in terms of cash and gold means he is a "man of means" and therefore easily able to get away from Bermuda. He also claimed the defendant is a high flight risk and had "no intent on facing evidence in this case".

While on Police bail imposed after the raid, Bulford bought an airline ticket on Friday, September 26 to travel to France and intended to leave the Island on Sunday, October 4, the prosecutor further claimed.

Arguing his case for bail, Bulford denied he was trying to leave the Country ahead of the latest charges. He claimed he was taking a vacation and planned to return to Bermuda on October 20.

He also told the court: "In 2008 when Police raided my house I wasn't home, so I turned myself in with my lawyer. When they had given me Police bail I was supposed to return earlier this month, but I was sick for two days. I was a little sick and it kind of slipped my mind." He further stated that he has children and a business to look after and explained that he is a commercial fisherman who also runs crown and anchor tables at county games.

"Your Worship I have no reason to run anywhere. It's a serious matter, but I'm here to deal with it," he told Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner.

Mr. Warner granted Bulford bail of $50,000 with one surety and ordered him to surrender all his travel documents including birth certificates. He was also ordered to report daily to Somerset Police Station and will stand trial on October 22.