PHOTO/FILE
Police will dispose of weapons
Wairarapa Police have seized firearms – a shotgun, a rifle and two pistols – and drugs, including methamphetamine, in three separate incidents in Masterton.
About 1.45am last Friday police stopped a disqualified driver in Chapel St.
A search of the vehicle found a .22 calibre rifle and a metal bar with a 10cm blade in the centre console.
A 20-year-old Masterton resident was charged with unlawfully possessing a firearm, driving while disqualified and possession of an offensive weapon.
He is due to appear at Masterton District Court on Monday, November 18.
The same day at 8.50pm, police found a person driving a stolen vehicle on Colombo Rd.
The vehicle was stopped, and a shotgun and knife were found.
A 19-year-old local man was charged with unlawfully possessing a firearm, possession of a knife in a public place, resisting arrest and obstructing police.
He is due to appear in Masterton District Court on Thursday, November 21.
Then on Sunday, police responded to an incident at a motel on High St, where they recovered cannabis, methamphetamine and two pistols.
A 29-year-old woman who is not from Wairarapa was charged with unlawfully possessing firearms and multiple drug related charges.
She is due to appear at Masterton District Court today.
Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Haley Ryan said: “Our staff are committed to getting illegal firearms off the streets.”
Identifying that the two drivers of the cars were known to previously have been in possession of firearms was excellent police work, she said, and led to productive searches.
“I actively encourage people to contact police if they have information on offenders illegally in possession of firearms or involved in the supply of drugs.”
Alluding to gun thefts, Ryan said if anyone had a firearm around the house that was not in use and no longer required, it could be brought into the police station where it would be disposed of.
Anyone with information can call 105 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
