A man with gang ties has been arrested after a loaded gun was allegedly found in his luggage as he prepared to board a domestic flight at Auckland Airport.
Police said in a statement the 38-year-old man was arrested at the airport shortly after 1pm and will next appear in Manukau District Court on May 31.
He was charged with unlawfully possessing and unlawfully carrying a firearm, police told Newshub.
According to the NZ Herald, the man was returning to Christchurch after being in Auckland to celebrate a Head Hunters gang anniversary.
Aviation security staff reportedly found the firearm when his bag went through security at Auckland Airport.
The Herald on Sunday reported the pistol was loaded with four rounds of ammunition.
