Police believe a suspected drug trafficker held a knife to the throat of a witness and pointed a gun at another, a court has heard.
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Kenji Peter Aoki, 32, was arrested following a ''hard entry'' raid at a Wanniassa home last month.
He now stands accused of drug trafficking and possessing methamphetamine, a loaded .32 revolver, large amounts of cash, and stolen property.
Aoki pleaded not guilty to all charges and applied for bail in the ACT Magistrates Court on Tuesday. The prosecution opposed his release, fearing he might interfere with witnesses and reoffend.
Police told the court they received reports that Aoki pointed a gun and held a knife to the throat of witnesses. They also suspect his involvement in trafficking drugs into the ACT from parts of NSW.
No charges have been laid over the interstate trafficking or the alleged threats to witnesses, which were described as ''speculation'' by the defence. But police told the court two guns Aoki was believed to own could not be located, something they said gave them ''grave concerns''.
Aoki's lawyer, Michael Kukulies-Smith, said his client could be released on bail to live with his mother, who gave evidence that she would provide a surety for him, give him financial assistance, monitor a curfew, and report any reoffending to police. Her assurances were questioned by the prosecution, who feared she may not report her own son.
The prosecutor also expressed concern that Aoki's brother, a possible witness in the case, lived with their mother.
Mr Kukulies-Smith questioned police over the progress of their investigation since the raid on the Wanniassa home, another property, and a car a month ago.
He asked whether they had taken a statement from Aoki's brother, and why they had not taken steps to prevent his visits to Aoki in prison if they were so concerned about interference.
The court heard Aoki had been offered employment, and that there was no evidence he had interfered with witnesses when facing similarly serious charges more than a decade ago.
Mr Kukulies-Smith said a list of witnesses could be provided to the court to prevent Aoki contacting them. But Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker denied Aoki bail, saying there were a ''whole series of concerns'' that came together to produce a risk that could not be managed.
Aoki will reappear in court late next month.
Police told the court they had been working ''tirelessly'' on the investigation, and had brought in resources from other teams to help.
