A magistrate has put the Crown on notice to serve its brief of evidence for drugs supply charges laid against three people at Dubbo, saying the delay to date was already "unacceptable".
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Police charged Adrian John Toomey and Nicola Jade Hinton with supplying crystal methamphetamine or "ice" in July, but this week Dubbo Local Court heard the complete brief had not been served.
Toomey and Hinton were held in correctional centres from July, with co-accused Jason Victor Carr also remanded in custody when he was later charged.
The Crown was this week given until January 21 to serve the balance of the brief as Toomey was granted strict conditional bail.
The prosecution previously told the court there were "oceans and oceans" of recordings compiled during a 25-day covert operation at a Hunter Street flat.
Toomey, 38, Hinton, 43, and Carr, 35, are alleged to have been involved in ice deals at the residence, said to be like an illicit drug kiosk.
The prosecution allege it was a criminal enterprise that generated a minimum of $30,000 by supplying ice to more than 700 people during the surveillance period.
This week the legal representative for Hinton said the prosecution material had not been issued in a way the defence could view it.
"I've had to issue a subpoena," he said.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) told relieving magistrate Alexander Mijovich the volume of material was a lot larger than anticipated and provided explanations for why it was taking time.
The magistrate said the matter first appeared before the court in July, months ago.
"It's unacceptable," he said.
Mr Mijovich ordered the balance of the brief of evidence to be served by January 21 and adjourned the matter for mention on February 11.
"The prosecution can't stand on its hands for seven months and not provide (the brief)," he said.
If the balance of the brief was not served by January 21, the officer in charge would have to give evidence under oath about the delay, he said.
No release applications were made on behalf of Hinton and Carr and they were formally refused bail.
Later in an adjacent courtroom, a bail application was made for Toomey, who is facing a total of 12 charges.
Relieving magistrate Peter Miszalski granted the 38-year-old bail, on the provision that he be of good behaviour, reside at a rehabilitation centre near Brewarrina, not take any illicit substances or drink any alcohol, and other conditions.
