Operation Ironside accused Shane Geoffrey May applies for bail in the District Court

The alleged kingpin of a multimillion-dollar drug syndicate, who’s also wanted by US cops, has made a bail bid but police fear he may flee Australia.

The alleged head of a multimillion-dollar national drug and money laundering syndicate has made a freedom bid, with police fearing he could leave the country undetected if released.

Shane Geoffrey May, a 48-year-old former mortgage broker and restaurant owner, applied for home detention bail in the District Court last week.

A prosecutor told the court they were opposed to bail due to Mr May being a flight risk and his risk of reoffending.

The court heard Mr May’s co-accused was arrested on a highway at Port Wakefield on April 6, 2021 and intercepted 50kg of methamphetamine packaged and concealed in horse feed in the semi trailer.

Shane Geoffrey May allegedly fled Australia after the seizure of 50kg of methamphetamine from a truck in Port Wakefield. Picture: SA Police

The prosecutor said Mr May was alleged to be at the apex of the nation spanning organised crime network.

The court heard Mr May withdrew $200,000 fromhis bank account and flew to Indonesia via New Zealand in late April 2021, which police allege was to avoid apprehension.

“The ultimate decision by Mr May to depart in Australia was principally the result of an article published in the Advertiser of Mr May’s co-accused,” the prosecutor said.

Mr May was discovered living in James Well, a small community south of Ardrossan on the Yorke Peninsula and gave police a false name during arrest.

The court heard he was located with six phones and was alleged to be the distributor of at least one AN0M device.

“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.

The FBI currently has a warrant out for his arrest and the court heard Mr May might be extradited to the US once his Australian matters are finalised.

Mr May has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including large commercial drug trafficking and money laundering.

Marie Shaw KC, for Mr May, told the court her client had no criminal history and had now been in custody for over a year.

The court heard Mr May, a father, could live with his mother and stepfather on bail – who had since moved to South Australia and could offer $10,000 cash surety.

“The prosecution case depends on the admissibility of the AN0M messaging and the Operation Ironside platform … that is the subject of challenge,” Ms Shaw said.

Ms Shaw said the challenge was ongoing so it was likely Mr May’s trial in July would be postponed and if it was successful then the charges would be unlikely to proceed.

Judge Joana Fuller reserved her decision until next month.