Darren Irving, 39, of Russells Road, Mailors Flat, appeared in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court yesterday and applied for bail.

Mr Irving has been charged with conspiracy to traffic a commercial quantity of amphetamines and ecstasy, possessing a pistol and burglary.

Already four other Warrnambool district people alleged to have been involved in the drug ring have been remanded in custody until December 5.

Four Melbourne residents have also been arrested and police have applied for one man to forfeit a $200,000 surety because he breached bail conditions relating to other drug trafficking charges.

Detective Senior Constable Colin Ryan, of the Warrnambool Criminal Investigation Unit, told the court Mr Irving and his de facto wife, Leanne Elizabeth Walker, 39, were the subjects of an eight-month police investigation.

He said eight people were arrested last Tuesday after five police raids in and around the city on September 16.

Mr Irving remained at large and was wanted by police until taken into custody last Friday.

Detective Senior Constable Ryan said telephone intercepts showed that Mr Irving had knowledge of what was going on and participated in arranging and selling drugs in Warrnambool.

He said Mr Irving also showed police where he previously hid a canister containing 116 grams of vacuum-packed amphetamines.

Detectiv e Senior Constable Ryan told the court there was a possibility that charges could be upgraded to conspiring to traffic large commercial quantities of drugs. He said Irving was a key figure in the drug ring.

Defence counsel Vince Peters said his client was only a minor player.

He said Mr Irving observed what was going on but Ms Walker ruled the roost and if he wanted to be with his children he had to play along.

Magistrate Michael Coghlan said police alleged that $250,000 had been exchanged for drugs and that Mr Irving had been involved at least three times in distributing drugs in what was a substantial operation.

He said Mr Irving had not proven exceptional circumstances required to obtain bail and remanded him in custody until December 5.