Four men have appeared in court facing drug charges relating to cannabis valued at £442,443.

They were due to be committed to the Court of General Gaol Delivery but their advocates are challenging the committal saying there is no case to answer.

A hearing date will now be fixed for the committal challenge to take place.

Francis Richard Dunne, of Burlington Street, Vauxhall, Liverpool, represented by Jim Travers, has previously pleaded not guilty to three counts of conspiracy to produce drugs to the island and one of entering into an arrangement.

Stephen Joseph James Alty, aged 39, of Upland Close, Litherland, Merseyside, represented by Kate Alexander, has previously denied three counts of conspiracy to produce cannabis to the island.

Jamie Mark Smith, aged 31, of Maple Avenue, Onchan, represented by David Reynolds, has previously entered not guilty pleas to three counts of conspiracy to produce cannabis to the island, one of being concerned in the supply of cocaine, and one of being concerned in the supply of cannabis.

Liam Dunne, aged 32, of Burlington Street, Vauxhall, represented by Stephen Wood, has previously pleaded not guilty to three counts of conspiracy to produce drugs to the island.

The allegations are said to have stemmed from two previous arrests of men who were travelling to the island from Heysham.

In February 2018 £442,423 worth of cannabis was found by hidden in a secret compartment of a car and in April, £144,496 worth of the drug was found in a vehicle.

A search of a house in Liverpool uncovered a bag of cash estimated at between £20,000 and £30,000, which included Manx notes.

All four will appear in court on June 6 via video link.