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Two men accused of stealing more than $5 million dollars in which has been described as the biggest robbery in the country's history, were yesterday each granted $300,000 bail with surety.

Securicor Estate Constables Ray Patterson, 33, of New Grant, and 21-year-old Leon Hunte, of La Brea, appeared before San Fernando Magistrate Maria Busby Earl Caddle. Patterson was represented by Nathaniel King and Hunte was represented by Subhas Panday, both of whom pleaded with the magistrate to release their clients on bail.

Both accused had appeared on Tuesday before Magistrate Sonia Aleong who refused an initial application for bail to give the police enough time to trace the accused men's criminal records.

Relatives of both accused were present in the court.

Referring to the case as "highly profiled and highly emotive'', Panday pleaded with the magistrate not to be influenced by elements outside the matter. He even suggested that the men surrender their passports and be made to report to the police on a regular basis.

King asked the magistrate to look at the character of the men and not treat with them as if they were bandits. He reminded the magistrate that the accused were employed as security guards and the offences for which they were charged were "bailable" ones.

The two are accused of stealing $5.5 million dollars and two firearms from a Securicor van they were escorting at around 8.30 pm on December 18, along Corinth Road, South Trinidad. The money is yet to be recovered.

Patterson and Hunte are to report by 9 am every day to the Princes Town Police Station and the La Brea Police Station, respectively. They are to re-appear in court on January 7.