Two men will appear in court today after allegedly attempting to bring a loaded firearm and prohibited drug into a correctional facility in Cessnock.

About 10.20am yesterday (Saturday 18 July 2015), two men, a 26-year-old from Smithfield and a 22-year-old from Eastwood, attempted to drive into the car park of the facility.

NSW Police attached to the Central Hunter Target Action Group, and Corrective Security Operations Group officers, were conducting a joint operation and searched their vehicle.

They allegedly located and seized a loaded handgun, 1.89 grams of white powder, believed to be cocaine, $4960 in cash, and five mobile phones.

The two men were taken to Maitland Police Station and charged with numerous offences including an outstanding arrest warrant, possess unregistered firearm, possess firearm without licence, not comply with safe storage of firearm, introduce firearm into correctional centre, possess prohibited drug, introduce prohibited drug into correctional facility, possess prohibited weapon, introduce prohibited weapon into correctional facility and deal with proceeds of crime.

They were refused bail to appear before Maitland Bail Court today (Sunday 19 July 2015).