Anyone doubting links between the illegal firearms trade, illicit drugs and dishonesty offending exist need look no further than an incident in Hamilton this week according to Police.
Hamilton City Tactical Coordinator, Senior Sergeant Freda Grace, said officers searching a Colleridge Dr address for stolen property on Tuesday found elements of all three crime categories.
"Recovered in an offender's bedroom wardrobe was a small white box containing quantities of both methamphetamine and ecstasy as well as drug related paraphernalia, an apple i-pad and a money counter.
"In the bedroom we found a 32-inch Samsung television stolen from a burglary of a MacDiarmid Rd address in August last year and a laptop computer."
Ms Grace said officers also found a sawn-off 12 gauge shotgun and ammunition in a car parked in the garage of the offender's home.
"The 31-year-old offender told Police he had been selling methamphetamine to pay for his rent and groceries for some time and that he had obtained electronic items as payment for drugs.
"The discovery of the firearm follows the trend of those involved in the illicit drugs trade arming themselves to protect their 'investments'. This is why, increasingly, Police have to use the support of the Armed Offenders Squad to ensure the safety of both our staff and the public."
Ms Grace said frequently when Police recover stolen goods it is difficult to return them to their owners if there is no record of serial numbers kept.
"Generally the days of 'Aladdin's caves' of stolen electronics being discovered are gone. Burglars now tend to steal items to order and they are moved on to receivers very quickly.
"From there they enter a commodities black market and change hands rapidly. It is only through such programmes as Operation SNAP that we are able to locate legitimate owners."
A 31-year-old unemployed man arrested in connection with Tuesday's discoveries appeared in the Hamilton District Court that afternoon and has been bailed to reappear on 26 July to face five drugs and firearms related charges.
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