Benjamin Nakia Hewson charged with gun, drug possession in Coraki

A Northern Rivers man was allegedly busted with ice, cannabis and a loaded gun in a car stolen from Queensland during an early morning traffic stop has made a bid for freedom.

A Dorroughby man allegedly busted with ice, cannabis and a loaded gun in Coraki during a vehicle stop has been granted bail.

Benjamin Nakia Hewson, 41, appeared in Lismore Local Court on Thursday on firearms and drug charges.

Richmond Police District established Strike Force Impala to investigate a number of serious property offences – including aggravated break, enter and steal offences – in the Coraki area in July.

As part of ongoing inquiries, police stopped a vehicle about 1.30am on Thursday on Queen Elizabeth Drive while patrolling the Coraki area.

Lismore Courthouse in Zadoc Street.

Police spoke with the driver – a 16-year-old girl – and Hewson — the 41-year-old passenger – before searching the vehicle.

Officers found a .22 calibre glock handgun, ammunition, cannabis and methylamphetamine.

Subsequent inquiries on the vehicle revealed it had been reported stolen from Queensland in May.

The occupants of the vehicle were arrested and taken to Lismore Police Station.

Hewson was charged with possessing unauthorised and unregistered pistol, possessing a loaded firearm in a public place, possessing ammunition without a licence, receiving property stolen outside NSW and two counts of possessing a prohibited drug.

He applied for bail in Lismore Local Court on Thursday, where Magistrate Jeff Linden granted conditional release.

Hewson must be of good behaviour and live at his Dorroughby home with a strict curfew.

He is not to consume alcohol or drugs, unless prescribed by a doctor – and is required to submit to daily drug tests at police discretion.

The teenage girl was released pending further inquiries.