A suspected Canberra drug trafficker accused of holding a gun to the head of one witness and a knife to the neck of another has walked free on bail with a $20,000 surety.
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Kenji Peter Aoki, 32, faces numerous charges for drug trafficking and firearm offences after police arrested him during a "hard entry" raid at a Wanniassa home in March.
He was released from custody after his defence lawyers launched a third bid for bail in the ACT Magistrate's Court on Tuesday afternoon.
Mr Aoki stands accused of possessing methylamphetamine and cannabis, a modified antique rifle, 24 rounds of shotgun ammunition, large amounts of cash, and stolen property.
He has pleaded not guilty to all 16 charges brought against him.
The Crown previously opposed his release on the grounds he could intimidate witnesses, including his brother, and was likely to reoffend.
His defence lawyer, Kamy Saeedi, told the court those concerns could be addressed if his client's bail conditions were changed and he was allowed to live with his sister in Melbourne.
He argued police had raised the prospect of investigating further drug-trafficking allegations in the past, but no charges had been laid.
Mr Saeedi also said the defendant's likelihood of reoffending was "only speculation at the moment".
Mr Aoki's sister gave evidence in court and said she could provide a $20,000 surety and would help her brother access a drug rehabilitation program in Melbourne.
Prosecutors maintained their opposition to Mr Aoki's release on the grounds the charges against him were "quite serious" and several witnesses feared for their safety.
Constable Christopher Carter said Mr Aoki had threatened one witness with a gun and another with a knife in the past.
He said concerns for witnesses' safety would still stand if the defendant moved to Victoria.
"Everyone's scared of Mr Aoki," he said.
Constable Carter said police "strongly believe" Mr Aoki still had access to another shotgun, but they hadn't been able to find it and had since wrapped up the investigation.
Magistrate Peter Dingwall said there was no evidence to support allegations the accused had been trafficking drugs from the territory for many years.
He also said there was not enough information available about the alleged threats made to witnesses, and that the strength of the prosecution case relied on DNA and fingerprint evidence not yet available.
Mr Dingwall granted Mr Aoki bail and ordered him to leave the ACT to travel to Melbourne with his sister.
He also imposed strict bail conditions, including a 7pm curfew, and said Mr Aoki must report to police daily and could not contact any potential witnesses.
The case will be before court again on July 24.
