A man is due to appear in court charged with drug and firearms offences after a vehicle stop near Cessnock.

About 5.30pm last Friday (24 April 2015), police from Central Hunter Local Area Command were patrolling Lomas Lane, Nulkaba, in relation to a driving complaint about a green Holden Commodore.

A vehicle matching that description was seen minutes later and police directed the driver to stop. They will allege the driver instead accelerated, and a pursuit was initiated.

The pursuit continued only for a short time before the alleged driver stopped the car and ran from the scene. He was chased on foot for about 300m before being arrested.

When the car was searched, police seized a shortened .22 calibre firearm with a scope and torch attached, ammunition, bags containing a crystal substance police allege to be methamphetamine (Ice), and an amount of cash.

The man was taken to Maitland Police Station and charged with:

• Possess unauthorised firearm;

• Supply prohibited drug;

• Police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly (Skye’s Law);

• Goods in personal custody suspected being stolen;

• Drive motor vehicle during disqualification period.

The man was refused bail to appear in Maitland Local Court tomorrow (Monday 27 April 2015).