Police in Northland have seized a firearm and drugs after stopping a car displaying red and blue flashing lights that joined a police convoy last week.
Senior Sergeant Clem Armstrong said officers were travelling outside Kawakawa police station last Thursday when a Commodore not associated with police slid into their convoy
After a check of the vehicle revealed the registered owner was disqualified from driving, officers signalled for the driver to pull over.
"The man was arrested and officers carried out a search of the vehicle," Armstrong said.
During the search police located a loaded firearm underneath the driver's seat, a 3D-printed gun, ammunition and methamphetamine.
"It was quite the unexpected find," he said.
A 30-year-old man has been charged with impersonating a police officer, unlawful possession of a restricted weapon, driving while disqualified and possession of methamphetamine.
He is due to reappear in the Kaikohe District Court on January 20.
It comes after an Auckland man was arrested last week for allegedly trying to impersonate cops by trying to pull over an unmarked patrol car while more than twice the legal drinking limit.
Inspector Kerry Watson said officers on duty were "perplexed" when a non police-official car flashing blue and red lights appeared behind them.
"It took a few moments for the impersonator to realise the vehicle they were signalling to pull over was police, and they quickly tried to evade the area to avoid being caught," Watson said.
A 38-year-old man was due to appear in the Manukau District Court on Wednesday in relation to the incident.
Impersonating police or representing a vehicle as a police vehicle is an offence under the Policing Act 2008.
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