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 possessing drugs, a loaded .32 Smith and Wesson revolver, large amounts of cash, and stolen property.
Aoki pleaded not guilty to all charges in the ACT Magistrates Court on Tuesday, and made a bid for release on bail.
But the prosecution opposed his release, fearing he may interfere with witnesses and reoffend.
Police told the court they have 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, and the defence described them as ''speculation''.
But police also told the court that two guns that Aoki is believed to own cannot be located, something they said gave them ''grave concerns''.
Aoki's lawyer Michael Kukulies-Smith said his client could be bailed to live with his mother.
She gave evidence in court that she would provide a surety for him, give him financial assistance, monitor a curfew and report any reoffending to police.
But her assurances were questioned by the prosecution, who feared she may not report her own son to police.
Prosecutors 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 investigations since the raid on the Wanniassa home a month ago, asking why they hadn't taken steps to prevent the brother from visiting Aoki in prison if they were so concerned about interference.
He also told the court that his client had been offered employment, and that there was no evidence Aoki had interfered with witnesses when facing similar charges more than a decade ago.
He 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 have been working ''tirelessly'' on the investigation, and have brought in resources from other teams to cope.
