Tauranga Man Facing Seven Charges After Routine Traffic Stop

A 28-year-old man is facing multiple serious charges after being arrested during a routine traffic stop by Tauranga Police early Tuesday morning.

According to a police spokesperson, the vehicle was stopped on Welcome Bay Road around 4:25am. Officers immediately detected a strong smell of cannabis coming from the car.

A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered two firearms (one of which was an imitation), 10 rounds of ammunition, a bong, as well as quantities of cannabis and methamphetamine.

The passenger was questioned and later released without charge. However, the driver is now scheduled to appear in Tauranga District Court on August 6, facing seven charges:

• Possession of cannabis

• Possession of methamphetamine

• Unlawful possession of a firearm

• Unlawful possession of ammunition

• Possession of drug utensils

• Driving without a license

• Failing to comply with a prohibition order

  
  

Inspector Clifford Paxton praised the work of local officers, saying the arrest demonstrates the value of proactive frontline policing.

“What started as a routine traffic stop has resulted in the arrest of an individual allegedly in possession of two firearms, as well as drugs,” he said.“Our role as police is to prevent harm and hold offenders to account, and I’m proud of my staff who have done exactly that in this case.”