Police have taken a firearm capable of firing .22 rounds off the streets after locating the weapon down the side of a couch.
At about 1pm on Wednesday, officers executed a search warrant at a Tikipunga address on Papa Totara Loop.
Detective Senior Sergeant Aaron Crawford, Northland CIB, says Police quickly arrested a man in relation to failing to stop, displaying insignia, possession of firearm and ammunition.
¡°During a search officers have located an operational magazine with live .22 rounds allegedly in the man¡¯s pocket, as well as loose rounds.
¡°A further search of the address has then also located a pistol capable of firing .22 rounds, which was found down the side of the couch where the man was sitting upon Police arrival.¡±
Detective Senior Sergeant Crawford says the arrest was a great outcome by the team.
¡°As a result we have taken another firearm out of circulation from our community.
¡°Police work hard to hold offenders to account, especially those with the potential to cause serious harm in our communities, such as those unlawfully in the possession of firearms.¡±
A 34-year-old man will appear in Whang¨¡rei District Court today charged with two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm and failing to carry out obligations in relation to a computer search.
ENDS.
Holly McKay/51½ÖÉä
