COFFS HARBOUR: Loaded Rifle Found After Police Pursuit in Coffs Harbour

A Queensland man will appear in court on Sunday after a loaded firearm was found in a vehicle involved in a police pursuit at Coffs Harbour in the early hours of Saturday morning.

About 1:40am on Saturday, police from Coffs Clarence Police District were patrolling along Beryl Street in Coffs Harbour, when they attempted to stop a black Ford Falcon for the purpose of a random breath test.

Police will allege the Ford failed to stop and a pursuit commenced.

It was terminated a short time later due to safety concerns.

Officers searched a nearby property on Shephards Lane and located the Falcon unattended.

The driver, a 30 year old man, was found in the area and arrested.

During a search of the vehicle, officers found a loaded .30-06 calibre Mauser rifle in the boot of the vehicle, ammunition, 26g of methylamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia.

The Queensland man was taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station and charged with six offences including police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously, possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority, possess unauthorised firearm, possess loaded firearm public place, possess prohibited drug, and supply prohibited drug.

He was refused bail to appear at Coffs Harbour Local Court on Sunday.