Charges withdrawn against Ezekiel James Owen Jones over Coromandel East drug bunker

A father and son accused of running an “elaborate” drug bunker and possessing thousands in cash and cocaine have faced court, with all charges against the son withdrawn.

Prosecutors have withdrawn charges including money laundering and cultivating a commercial quantity of cannabis laid against a 20-year-old after the discovery of a drug bunker in Adelaide’s south.

However, the charges against the young man’s father will continue, a court has heard.

James Stuart Taylor, 53, and his son Ezekiel James Owen Jones, 20, were arrested in January after police found drug bunker covered with camouflage at the pair’s Coromandel East home.

On Monday, both men appeared in court for a charge determination hearing.

Ezekiel James Owen Jones leaves court after charges against him here dropped over an underground drug bunker. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Emma Brasier

James Stuart Taylor leaves court on Monday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Emma Brasier

Magistrate Simon Smart heard all Mr Jones’ charges relating to the drug bunker as well as drugs and cash allegedly found in a home on the property would be withdrawn.

The only charges left that Mr Jones faces are the unauthorised possession of two gel blasters.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos - MAY 1, 2023: Father James Stuart Taylor and son Ezekiel James Owen Jones (pictured) leave Adelaide Magistrates Court charged over an underground drug bunker on a southern Adelaide Hills property. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Emma Brasier

Police photos of a concealed bunker on a Coromandel East property.

Nearly 20 cannabis plants being grown hydroponically in the underground bunker were seized. Picture: SA Police

Alex Scott, for Mr Jones, said his client would contest those charges as well and asked for them to be adjourned to the Christies Beach Magistrates Court.

Mr Smart denied a request from a police prosecutor to place Mr Jones on bail for the gel blaster charges.

Mr Taylor remains charged with cultivating a commercial quantity of a controlled plant, trafficking in a controlled drug, knowingly engage in money laundering and will face court again in July.

Outside court Mr Jones declined to comment but his father, when asked about whether he was relieved the majority of the charges had been withdrawn against his son, answered “of course”.

Gel blasters seized at the same Coromandel East property police found a drug bunker. Picture: SA Police

Part of the underground bunker set-up.

At the time of their arrests police described the set up at the home as “elaborate”.

Officers seized 18 hydroponically-grown cannabis plants, half a kilogram of dried cannabis, the two gel blasters from a caravan, 35g of white powder suspected to be cocaine and $62,075 cash from the property.

Prosecutors have since moved to freeze both the property and the seized cash while the case continues.

Both men were released on bail by the Adelaide Magistrates Court after their arrest and allowed to reside at houses other than the Coromandel East property.