A man is due to appear in court on Thursday, March 1, charged with multiple firearm offences after being arrested in East Maitland overnight.
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Police from Port Stephens/Hunter Police District were patrolling the area when they stopped a vehicle in Cecily Close about 10pm, Wednesday, February 28, for a random breath test.
The 42-year-old driver returned a negative result.
But, after officers found him in possession of methyl-amphetamine, they searched his vehicle.
Police will allege a loaded handgun was found in the centre console and the man was arrested.
A house in Cecily Close was searched a short time later and a rifle fitted with a scope and homemade silencer were seized, as well as multiple rounds of ammunition for a variety of firearms.
The man was taken to Maitland Police Station where he was charged with eight offences:
• Possess unregistered unauthorised prohibited firearm in a public place
• Possess loaded pistol in a public place
• Possess unregistered firearm/prohibited firearm
• Not keep firearm safely – prohibited firearm
• Alter firearm so as to convert it to a prohibited firearm
• Possess ammunition without holding a licence, and
• Possess prohibited drug (two counts).
The man was refused bail and will appear in Maitland Local Court on Thursday March 1.
