Charges alleging that £25,000-worth of cocaine was brought to the island have been dismissed due to drug testing delays.

Anthony John Richrd Lyons, of Edremony Estate, Port Erin, was accused of being concerned in the production of drugs to the island and possession with intent to supply.

However, the court heard that the substance alleged to be cocaine had been sent off island and results were not expected back until after April 27.

Prosecuting advocate James Robinson told the court that a civilian member of the police force had to take the drugs to Heysham and then pass them to someone from the forensic testers.

Mr Robinson said that, since Covid restrictions, this could not be done every time drugs were seized because of the risk it exposed the person travelling to.

The prosecutor said that the drugs were subject to an Edit test on the island but the case could only be committed once results are received from forensic testing which is done off-island.

Defence advocate David Reynolds said that his client had been in custody since January 14 and was denying the allegations.

Mr Reynolds said that Edit tests were known to be very unreliable and that there was nothing in legislation that said a person could be kept in custody indefinitely because of Covid restrictions.

Mr Reynolds said that there would be the option of the charges being relaid once the test results were returned.

Magistrates agreed to dismiss the case but also stated that the case could be brought back once the drug test results have been received.