Three people have been arrested after police seized drugs, cash, and a replica pistol following the execution of a search warrant at a home in the Lake Macquarie area.

Over the past few weeks, investigators from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command Property Crime Team have been investigating a number of steal from motor vehicle offences and subsequent ‘tap and go’ frauds.

As a result of their inquiries, just before 2pm today (Tuesday 29 March 2016), police observed a vehicle on Willow Road, Gateshead, where they arrested two women – aged 35 and 33.

Following their arrest, a search warrant was executed at a home on Willow Road, Gateshead – where they seized a replica pistol.

At the property, police arrested a 35-year-old man for unrelated offences. During a subsequent search of the man, police allegedly found and seized cash, and two bags of a crystal substance believed to be methamphetamine.

All three were taken to Belmont Police Station.

The man was charged with supply prohibited drug and possess firearm. He was granted conditional bail to appear at Belmont Local Court on Wednesday 20 April 2016.

The older woman was charged with 15 counts of fraud and two counts of having goods in custody suspected of being stolen.

She was refused bail to appear before Belmont Local Court tomorrow (Wednesday 30 March 2016).

The younger woman was charged with two counts of fraud and granted conditional bail, to appear before Belmont Local Court on Wednesday 13 April 2016.

Meanwhile, inquiries continue and further charges are likely.