THERE was one key element missing when an Orange man allegedly hollowed out a secret drug compartment in his umbrella and used it to transport the drug “ice”.

It wasn't raining. 

Officers observed Gregory Ian Woodford of Leura Road walking  down Garema Road on a fine Saturday night and, according to facts tendered to Orange Local Courth, tey believed he had drugs in his possession.

He allegedly handed over some marijuana when asked, but police did not stop the search there.

According to police, in his pocket they found what Mr Woodford said was speed, or amphetamine, and in his shoulder bag they found a glass methlyamphetamine smoking pipe, but the biggest haul was hidden in the umbrella.

Allegedly hidden in the handle was a bag of white crystal which police believed was methylamphetamine, or ice. 

At Woodford’s bail hearing in Orange Local Court on Monday, police prosecutor Sergeant Andy Bobin said he should be refused bail because he had a cocktail of drugs in his possession and he was already on seven good behaviour bonds for similar offences. 

“The last one was as recently at the 16th of January this year,” Sergeant Bobin said. 

Woodford’s solicitor Matthew Savage said his client had been booked in to the Lyndon Withdrawal Unit that morning but had lost his place because he had been arrested.

“If he was granted bail with a requirement he attend Lyndon House they could find him a spot,” Mr Savage said. 

The magistrate Terry Lucas said he remembered the last time Woodford appeared before him on January 10. 

“I remember telling Mr Woodford the consequences of breaching any [bond] I gave him,” he said.

“For the protection of the community, bail is refused.”

Police seized a total of 10.48 grams of drugs.

The estimated street value of the cannabis was believed to be $350, the amphetamine $300 and the methylamphetamine $900.