A CACHE of guns, ammunition, drugs and cash have been allegedly discovered during a police search of a Port Stephens property.
A 40-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday after allegedly attempting to flee the property on Nelson Bay Road at Williamtown in the possession of a hand gun.
Proactive Crime Team Port Stephens Hunter Police District, assisted by Federal Environmental Officers, executed a search warrant at 6.30am on Tuesday on the Williamtown property due to an investigation into the exportation of native birds.
"At the time of his arrest it will be alleged he was in the possession of a hand gun," Superintendent Wayne Humphrey of Port Stephens Hunter Police District said.
"A number of other firearms were found in open view and unsecured and as a result an additional crime scene warrant was applied for the premises."
During the extended search officers allegedly found 49 unregistered handguns, 14 unregistered rifles/shotguns, ammunition, firearm parts, drugs, chemicals used to manufacture gun powder, five kilograms of silver bullion and $15,000 cash.
The 40-year-old man was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station and and charged with 96 offences, including possess unauthorised pistol, not keep firearm safely-pistol, goods suspected stolen in/on premises (not motor vehicle) and possess unregistered firearm-not pistol/prohibited firearm.
He was refused bail to appear before Raymond Terrace Local Court on Wednesday.
