Peter Cheng faces Darwin Local Court following firearms, cocaine charges

The identity of a mystery businessman nabbed by authorities at a service station, allegedly with two illegal firearms and more than a kilogram of cocaine has been revealed. Read for more.

Darwin businessman Peter Cheng has been charged with a number of weapon, ammunition and drug offences after NT Police and ABF officers intercepted him in Katherine.

A NT businessman allegedly found with two illegal firearms and more than a kilogram of cocaine has faced court.

Peter Cheng, 46, appeared in Darwin Local Court after he was arrested Monday.

In a co-ordinated operation, NT Police and Australian Border Force officers intercepted Mr Cheng at a Katherine service station while he was en route to Darwin from Queensland.

The two prohibited firearms allegedly found in Mr Cheng’s vehicle.

Police say they seized approximately 1.25 kgs of cocaine during a vehicle search.

Further, a shotgun, a semiautomatic rifle and ammunition was also located.

At the same time, authorities executed search warrants on Mr Cheng’s Pinelands business, as well as his Darwin residence.

During the concurrent searches, police say they found cannabis, more cocaine, drug paraphernalia and ammunition.

Mr Cheng was arrested and has since been charged with supplying and possessing a commercial quantity schedule one dangerous drug and possessing two prohibited firearms.

Mr Cheng has also been charged with possessing tainted property.

He has further been charged with possessing ammunition without a license, possessing tainted property and possessing a less-than-trafficable quantity of schedule two dangerous drugs.

On Wednesday afternoon, Mr Cheng applied for bail.

The court heard Mr Cheng has no criminal history and was willing to abide by strict bail conditions, including electronic monitoring.

Mr Cheng’s lawyer also said her client also had the support of family and a business neighbour.

The matter will return to Darwin Local Court next month. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Upon reading the alleged facts, however, Judge Stephen Geary said he was concerned by “extremely serious” charges.

“It is aggravated by the (finding) of two firearms which, frankly, suggests that it is a very serious matter,” he said.

The matter was before the court for just three minutes before Judge Geary denied bail.

Mr Cheng will remain on remand and return to court on August 27 for a preliminary examination mention.

Originally published as Peter Cheng faces Darwin Local Court following firearms, cocaine charges