Jason Scarce, Andrew James Osborne and Gabriella Baumann charged with drug trafficking offences under Task Force Southern

A marine engineer, a mother-of-three and a father-of-five have appeared in court charged with drug and firearm offences under a murder investigation in three men.

A marine engineer, a mother-of-three and a father-of-five have been released on bail after being charged with drug trafficking as part of an ongoing murder investigation.

Jason Scarce, 48, from Hove, was charged with two counts of supplying a firearm as well as single counts of trafficking and trafficking a commercial quantity of a controlled drug.

On Friday, Magistrate Justin Wickens heard Mr Scarce had been arrested as part of a larger covert operation that intercepted the cannabis and the firearms.

Mark Norman KC, for Mr Scarce, told the court it was “very surprising” his client had been caught up in any criminal offending and urged Mr Wickens to release him on simple bail.

“He is a man of rather good character,” he said.

“It’s very surprising that he is here at all, he has a business mortgage and property mortgage, children and parents in Adelaide, he is not going anywhere.”

Mr Norman said Mr Scarce was a qualified marine engineer and crane operator and would need to keep his business running.

Police during a search in the state’s Mid-North for the body of Robert Atkins. Picture Emma Brasier

Mr Scarce was released on simple bail but ordered not to contact either of his two co-accused.

Andrew James Osborne, 51, from Huntfield Heights was charged with two counts of basic trafficking, one count of trafficking a commercial quantity of a controlled drug and a single count of supplying a firearm.

The court hear his charges overlapped with those laid against Mr Scarce.

Mr Osborne, a father of five, was also released on bail after the court heard any trial would likely be at least months in the future.

The court heard both men were charged with selling 900g and 1.3kg of cannabis and supplying a bolt-action rifle.

Mr Scarce is also charged with supplying a gel blaster.

Gabriella Baumann, 39, from Christies Beach was charged with seven counts of trafficking in a controlled drug.

Robert Atkins, Trevor King and Jeff Mundy, whose unsolved murders are being investigated by Task Force Southern.

The mother of three allegedly trafficked grams of methamphetamine with a co-accused over the space of six months in early 2022.

The court heard all her offences were committed in company and two other accused, one of whom lives with Ms Baumann, had already been released on bail.

She was also released on bail.

The arrests came as part of Task Force Southern – a specialist operation investigating the suspicious deaths of Robert Atkins, Trevor King and Jeffrey Mundy.

So far police have arrested numerous people for offences including drug trafficking, money laundering and serious acts of violence – including kidnapping and torture.