Man charged after firearms located during vehicle stop in the Hunter

A man has been charged with drug and firearms offences, which arose from a vehicle stop in the Hunter region last night.
About 8pm (Wednesday 14 November 2018), officers from the Criminal Groups Squad’s Strike Force Raptor North stopped a vehicle on Newcastle Road, New Lambton, and spoke with the 23-year-old female driver and a 23-year-old male passenger.
Officers removed the man from the vehicle and located a .22 calibre single-shot revolver in his waistband.
Following a subsequent search of the vehicle, police located and seized a homemade 12-gauge shotgun, 12-gauge cartridges, .22 calibre ammunition, and a shotgun barrel.
The pair was arrested and taken to Waratah Police Station, where the man was served a Firearms Prohibition Order (FPO).
During a subsequent FPO search of a New Lambton home, investigators seized further ammunition, and methylamphetamine, cannabis, suspected steroids, prescription medications, and cash.
The man was charged with 10 firearms offences, supply prohibited drug, and possess prohibited drug.
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Thursday 15 November 2018).
The woman was released pending further inquiries.