A man has been charged with firearm and weapon offences after a traffic stop in Wangi Wangi yesterday.

About 11pm, (Wednesday 30 September 2015), police attached to Lake Macquarie Local Area Command were conducting patrols of the area when they stopped a vehicle on Dobell Drive.

During a search of the car police allegedly located a loaded homemade pistol, ammunition, a set of knuckle dusters, a large fishing knife and cash.

The 29-year-old man was arrested and taken to Toronto Police Station.

He was charged with five offences including possess unregistered firearm – not prohibited firearm/pistol, and possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit.

He was refused bail to appear in Newcastle Local Court today (Thursday 1 October 2015).