A routine traffic stop in Northland has led to the arrest of a 24-year-old man after police uncovered a firearm, drugs and multiple weapons inside a stolen vehicle.
Police were patrolling State Highway 11 in Kawakawa about 10.10pm on Tuesday, 30 December, when they detected a vehicle travelling above the 50km/h speed limit. Officers stopped the car and soon discovered it had been reported stolen the previous week.
While speaking with the driver, police were told a firearm was inside the vehicle, prompting a warrantless search. During the search, officers located and seized a firearm, ammunition, methamphetamine, an additional offensive weapon and drug paraphernalia.
The man was arrested at the scene and has been remanded in custody. He is due to reappear in the Kaikohe District Court on 13 January 2026.
He faces multiple charges, including unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession of methamphetamine and utensils for its use, possession of an offensive weapon, possession of opiates, and receiving stolen property.
