Alleged multimillion-dollar drug kingpin Shane May granted bail but will remain in custody

An alleged multimillion-dollar drug kingpin arrested as part of Operation Ironside has been granted release on strict bail – but will remain in custody.

The alleged kingpin of a multimillion-dollar drug empire – who is also wanted overseas – has been granted release on bail.

However, immediately after Shane Geoffrey May, 48, was granted release in the District Court on strict home detention conditions – including the lodgement of a $100,000 cash surety with the court – a prosecutor sought the decision be halted pending a review by the Supreme Court.

Mr May, a former mortgage broker and restaurant owner, was arrested in August 2022 after allegedly slipping back into the country undetected.

The court has heard he allegedly withdrew $200,000 and fled to Indonesia via New Zealand in April 2021 after learning an alleged co-accused had been arrested in connection to a 50kg seizure of methamphetamine at Port Wakefield.

Mr May is charged with more than 30 offences including money laundering and 10 counts of trafficking in a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug. He has pleaded not guilty.

The court had earlier heard some of the allegations relate to the laundering of $5.2 million. It has also hard he is wanted in the United States over allegations he played a role in the distribution of the encrypted AN0M application.

Shane Geoffrey May allegedly fled the country following the seizure of 50kg of methamphetamine at Port Wakefield in 2021. Picture: SA Police

Opposing bail last month, a prosecutor had told the court bail was opposed due to suspicions he could flee or reoffend.

“It is a matter of great concern that a person in Mr May's position, who on our case is a sophisticated and intelligent operator, (and) clearly through the AN0M messaging has a significant body of associates willing to assist him,” the prosecutor said.

At that hearing Marie Shaw KC, for Mr May, told the court her client had no criminal history and could live with his mother and stepfather on home detention.

On Wednesday, Judge Joana Fuller granted release on home detention bail, under strict conditions including that one guarantor file a $100,000 cash guarantee to the court. Other conditions included that another guarantor provide a written guarantee for $500,000 connected to a property in New South Wales.

“Mr May, I’ve granted your application for bail on various stringent conditions and there are significant guarantees for which there will be significant financial consequences to those persons who have been prepared to guarantee your bail,” Judge Fuller said.

“You won’t be released on bail unless the review to the Supreme Court is dismissed.”

Prosecutors now have 72 hours to apply to the higher court to review the decision.

Judge Fuller also vacated Mr May’s trial, which had been scheduled to take four months beginning in July, and noted any future trial could not be scheduled before August 2025.