Wayne Robert Andrews was one of 18 defendants to appear in Dubbo Local Court yesterday charged in relation to one of the largest drug busts conducted in NSW.

Defence solicitor Jonathon Kearney said his client had already been released on bail earlier in the year and had been complying with stringent reporting conditions.

"These are matters of less seriousness than the others and he has significant ties to the community," he said.

Visiting magistrate Alan Moore said there was an "overwhelming prosecution case".

"He has a history of involvement in the drug industry," he said.

"I'm at a loss as to how he got bail in the first place."

Mr Andrews was refused bail, alongside most of the other defendants who are all facing a range of charges relating to the supply and manufacture of amphetamines and the cultivation of cannabis.

Some defendants are also facing a number of firearms and stolen goods charges.

The court heard Barrie James Fumberger, 37, was accused of being a principal in the operation.

Defence counsel Joseph Busuttil said his client was a former navy officer.

"He has a wife and three children and his family situation is quite grim, as the police have confiscated their car," he said.

"He certainly wasn't living the life of a major player."

However Magistrate Moore said Mr Fumberger was "actively involved" in the manufacture of "the product" and refused him bail.

The only defendant to be granted bail was Kevin Allen Murphy, 27, and the prosecution indicated to the court his bail would be reviewed at his next court appearance.

Twenty-six-year-old Luke Palin also appeared in court, charged with supplying and manufacturing a prohibited drug.

Defence counsel Christine Mendes said there was little evidence against her client.

"The evidence presented points to only two phone calls of any relevance and nowhere does it say he was involved in a large commercial enterprise," she said.

However, Magistrate Moore told the court the police viewed him as a principal in the operation.

"If not, then clearly he was involved in the higher echelons of the enterprise," he said.

"He had a significant role in the network and there is nothing unique about his bail application."

Wellington resident Paul Patterson O'Grady, 33, also faced court, represented by Dubbo solicitor John North.

"All his family are in Wellington, he has three children and a de facto wife," Mr North said.

"Before his arrest he was working for a horse trainer and he has no prior antecedents."

Magistrate Moore said he did not dispute Mr O'Grady's ties to the community but refused him bail.

The other defendants - Michael Varehov, 36, James Tyrone Thornbury, 28, Terrence John Ackland, 36, Kevin Albert Michael Murphy, 54, Desmond Jack Smith, 28, Ronald Alexander Holmes, 51, Megan Frances Finn, 30, David John McFarland, 25, Martin Andre Diesing, 36, Rudolf Paul Czerwinski, 59, Peter James Hamilton, 35 and Andrew John Eyre, 37 - were all refused bail and ordered to reappear in court on August 26 via audio visual link.

All the defendants had been scheduled to appear in Dubbo Local Court in person yesterday, but due to security concerns they appeared via video link, with the exception of Mr Andrews.

The police indicated to the court the full brief of evidence, including DNA and transcriptions of phone intercepts, would be finished by late September.