Cleveland estate agent Ryan McCann refused bail

Magistrate Zac Sarra refused bail for the 36-year-old, whose full name is Patrick Ryan McCann, on the grounds that McCann was at risk of reoffending.

Mr Sarra said McCann, from Raby Bay, had a history of drug taking dating back to 2009 when he was intercepted for drug-related activities while driving.

The court heard police had been listening in to McCann's private and business phone calls since 2012 and drugs had been seized from his home.

Four of McCann's associates, who have not been named but are believed to be "prominent" people, were issued with notices to appear in court at dates to be set.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Angela Tetley told the court evidence was gathered over two years from phone calls, some of which used secret codes for drugs.

Sgt Tetley said one of the codes, "the usual",  referred to 1.75g of methamphetamine and "a present" meant methamphatamine. 

She said although McCann was the target of the police operation, he was just one of "a whole bunch" of people in the drug investigation.  

She said in 2012, an ambulance was called to McCann's home where a person was treated for a drug-induced psychosis.

The estate agent, who appeared in the dock wearing a t-shirt and jeans, was told to sit down and be quiet when he twice tried to interject.

Defence lawyer David Spiro said McCann was a successful real estate agent who made $100,000 in commissions last month.

He also told the court his client was a drug addict who had only "received commercial recompense" from drugs once, when he had some carpentry work done in return for drugs.

McCann's father, Patrick, a retired real estate agent, who listened to proceedings from the court gallery, said he was devastated as his son had worked hard to achieve in the real estate industry.

McCann was remanded in custody until October 27 when he is due to reappear in Wynnum Magistrates court for a committal mention. 

He was suspended from his job at LJ Hooker Cleveland on Tuesday.