A Liverpool man has denied being involved an organised drug ring which imported more than £0.5m worth of cannabis to the island.

Francis Richard Dunne, of Burlington Street, Vauxhall, pleaded not guilty to three counts of conspiracy to produce drugs to the island and one of entering into an arrangement.

The 34-year-old will be committed to the Court of General Gaol Delivery on April 18.

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

In February last year, £442,423 worth of cannabis was found by police hidden in a secret compartment in a car.

And that April, £144,496 worth of the drug was also found hidden in a vehicle.

A search by Merseyside police of a house in Liverpool uncovered a bag of cash estimated at between £20,000 and £30,000, which included Manx notes. A machete was also found behind a door.

Four other men have previously entered pleas in connection with the allegations.

Darren Noel Dooley, aged 28, currently serving a sentence at the Isle of Man prison, has previously admitted being concerned in the supply of cannabis and conspiracy to produce drugs to the island.

He was committed to the Court of General Gaol Delivery to be sentenced on a date to be decided.

Stephen Joseph James Alty, aged 39, of Upland Close, Litherland, previously denied three counts of conspiracy to produce cannabis to the island.

Jamie Mark Smith, aged 31, of Maple Avenue, Onchan, 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, denied three counts of conspiracy to produce drugs to the island.

Committal to the Court of General Gaol Delivery is due to take place on April 18 for all parties except Dooley.