An alleged bikie drug dealer has accused police of denying him a chance to see a solicitor before being interviewed.
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Police have accused Ron Harding of manufacturing and selling the drug ice out of the Tramps Motorcycle Club headquarters in Wangaratta.
The 50-year-old faces 45 charges including trafficking a commercial quantity of methamphetamine and possessing explosives.
But magistrate Stella Stuthridge said police did not have enough evidence in the early stages of the investigation to keep Harding in custody until a hearing, especially because he was at risk of cardiac failure.
“He has a life-threatening heart condition that requires immediate attention,” she said.
Harding was released on bail, despite opposition from police.
He had been arrested on January 6 after police raided his Wangaratta South home and the Tramps clubhouse on Frank Hayes Drive.
They allegedly found eight loaded shotguns, pen pistols, explosives, a stolen boat, drug recipes and three kilograms of cannabis worth about $20,000.
Barrister Tom Sawyer said Harding handed himself into police at 11.20pm that night and told them it would be too late for his solicitor, but the interview still went ahead.
“One of the issues in this case will be the admissibility of any interview,” he said.
“He certainly makes substantial denials in terms of any allegations.”
Mr Sawyer said he doubted police claims the drugs seized could be fast-tracked through the forensic department and analysed by March.
The defence painted Harding as a family man.
His wife, Dianne, and two daughters were in court to support him.
He kept a straight face as allegations were read against him, but smiled and hugged his family when court took a break.
Senior Constable Matthew Finger said he was concerned for the safety of the community because Harding allegedly had six kilograms of explosives in the clubhouse and had been sourcing drugs from the Hells Angels.
“(The clubhouse) sits near other places of business, frequented by many people,” he said.
“We believe there was the potential for the accused to produce a commercial quantity of methamphetamine.”
His release could jeopordise the integrity of the investigation.
- Matthew Finger
Harding had been in the public eye as the Tramps president for years and a club member since 1993.
He was one of only three people with keys to the clubhouse where the drugs and weapons were found.
Tramps members all had their gun licences suspended in 2012 by the police Echo Taskforce because of associations with outlaw motorcycle gangs.
“His release could jeopordise the integrity of the investigation and safety of the witnesses,” Senior Constable Finger said.
The case was adjourned until April.