Officers from Hunter Valley Police District commenced an investigation into several break-and-enters at properties in the area, including a rural property at Congewai last Friday and Saturday, where several items including power tools, machinery and equipment was stolen.

Following inquiries, police executed a search warrant at a home on Wollombi Road, Cessnock, about 11am Wednesday.

During the search, police located a loaded .22 calibre pen gun, a sling shot, a defaced air rifle barrel, two cannabis plants, various tools, identity documents and electronic items believed to be the proceeds of crime.

The items were all seized for forensic examination.

A 33-year-old woman and a 27-year-old man were arrested at the property and taken to Cessnock Police Station.

The man was charged with 10 offences including five counts of goods suspected stolen in/on premises, cultivate prohibited plant (small quantity), possess unauthorised prohibited firearm, possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority, supply, acquire or possess defaced firearm part and not keep firearm safely-prohibited firearm.

The woman was charged with nine offences including four counts of goods suspected stolen in/on premises, possess unauthorised prohibited firearm, possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority, supply, acquire or possess defaced firearm part and not keep firearm safely-prohibited firearm.

They were both refused bail and appeared at Cessnock Local Court today (Thursday), where they were formally refused bail to reappear at the same court on Friday.

Inquiries are continuing.