Firearm located during vehicle stop; man charged in Merewether

A man will appear in court today charged after police located a firearm during a vehicle stop near Newcastle yesterday.

About 4.15pm (Sunday 11 December 2022), officers from Newcastle City Police District conducting proactive patrols of the Merewether area stopped a Subaru Impreza on Wilton Street.

Officers spoke with the driver, a 27-year-old man, before checks revealed he was disqualified from driving.

The man was arrested, and officers conducted a search locating a .9mm pistol, ammunition, folding knife, methylamphetamine and cash.

The items were seized and will undergo forensic examination.

The man was taken to Newcastle Police Station and charged with possess unregistered unauthorised pistol in public place, acquire pistol subject to firearms prohibition order, acquire ammunition subject to prohibition order, supply prohibited drug, possess prohibited drug, drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, carry cutting weapon upon apprehension.

He was also charged with affray relating to an incident earlier this year in May.

The man was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local court today (Monday 12 December 2022).

/Public Release. View in full here.