Victorians Ashlei Molnar, 28, Ricky Keenan, 40, Tyler Boswell, 38, and Luke Debono, 28, face Coffs Harbour court after alleged pursuit

A group of Victorians have been refused bail in a Coffs court, accused of being involved in a Mid-North Coast police chase which led to the seizure of drugs, cash, a police service pistol – and $40,000 of stolen fishing gear.

The group faced Coffs Harbour Local Court.

A group of Victorians have been refused bail in a Coffs court, accused of being involved in a Mid-North Coast police chase which led to the seizure of drugs, cash, a police service pistol – and $40,000 of stolen fishing gear.

Mid North Coast Highway Patrol officers were on the Pacific Hwy at Kundabung, when they spotted a silver BMW X3 travelling at 146km/h in a 110km/h zone about 8am on Tuesday, it’s alleged.

A Smith & Wesson 357 Magnum. File image.

“A pursuit was initiated after the vehicle failed to stop, however, was terminated due to safety issues,” NSW Police said in a statement.

Police allege four people were later seen abandoning the BMW at Frederickton, north of Kempsey, before they left in a Toyota HiLux.

Police allege the ute was then seen on the highway at Coffs Harbour about midday.

Officers “engaged in a pursuit and successfully deployed road spikes”.

Police Media states three men and a woman were arrested after the Toyota came to a stop at Moonee Beach, however, court documents state the car was stopped in the area around Emerald and Safety Beach.

The Pacific Highway at Coffs Harbour.

Officers searched the ute and the group and allegedly found a firearm, ammo, knuckle dusters, a flick knife, cocaine, meth, cash, stolen fishing gear and number plates from the BMW X3.

The group was taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station and all charged with one count each of supplying a stolen firearm or firearm part, possessing an unauthorised pistol, possessing an unregistered and unauthorised pistol in public and possessing a loaded firearm in public.

They were also charged with one count each of receiving property stolen outside NSW greater than $15,000, dealing with proceeds of crime less than $100,000, failing to keep a pistol safely, possessing ammunition without a permit and dealing with property proceeds of crime equal to or greater than $100,000.

Police allege a Victorian Police service pistol was found.

Ashlei Molnar, 28, of Braybrook, Ricky Keenan, 40, of Melton, Tyler Boswell, 38, of Maidstone, and Luke Debono, 28, of Sunbury faced Coffs Harbour Local Court over videolink on Wednesday.

Debono faces two extra counts of possessing or using a prohibited weapon without a permit.

It’s alleged the gun found was a Smith & Wesson pistol stolen from Victoria Police Force on October 6.

Keenan and Boswell each face two additional charges of possessing a prohibited drug,

Keenan allegedly had about 2.3g of cocaine and 1.37g of meth, while Boswell is alleged to have possessed an unspecified quantity of meth and three buprenorphine strips.

It’s alleged about $40,000 of fishing gear was seized.

Police allege a haul of fishing gear was stolen from Hooked On Bait and Tackle, Victoria.

Lawyer John Hennessy appeared for Molnar, Keenan and Debono.

He told the court Molnar had been in the back seat and had no knowledge of a gun.

Mr Hennessy indicated charges would be defended and he sought a release application for the trio.

He told the court Keenan suffered a heart attack three weeks earlier and required medical treatment, while Debono also needed treatment after a cancer scare.

Magistrate Aaron Tang refused bail for all three and adjourned to January 16.

Boswell did not apply for bail and his matter was adjourned to December 20.