Two men have been charged after a firearm was located during a vehicle stop near Broadwater last night.

About 8.50pm (Monday 1 May 2023), police from Richmond Police District stopped a white SUV on the Pacific Motorway near Broadwater.

During a subsequent search of the vehicle, police allegedly located a firearm and number plates suspected of being stolen.

Two men, aged 31 and 43, were arrested at the scene before being taken to Ballina Police Station.

The younger man was charged with possess unregistered firearm and possess unauthorised firearm.

He was refused bail to appear before Byron Bay Local Court today (Tuesday 2 May 2023).

The older man was charged with possess unregistered firearm, possess unauthorised firearm, and goods in personal custody suspected being stolen.

He was granted conditional bail to appear before Ballina Local Court on Thursday 15 June 2023.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.