Northland prison officer facing firearms charges

An officer who works at Ngawha prison is facing a number of firearms' related charges. Photo / Supplied

A prison officer in Northland is facing a number of firearms-related charges after being arrested during a police operation aimed at curbing crime.

Heemi Corkery, 54, of Whangārei, is facing one charge of unlawfully being in possession of a single-shot black powder pistol, one of being in possession of a prohibited semi-automatic rifle, five charges of unlawfully being in possession of prohibited magazines, and another of threatening to kill.

He first appeared in the Whangārei District Court in March and is on bail to re-appear on July 5. The alleged offences were committed around mid March.

Corkery, who the Northern Advocate understands has worked at the Northland Regional Corrections Facility in Ngawha, has yet to enter a plea.

A Corrections spokeswoman said Corkery was still employed but has not been at work since mid-March this year. "Due to our legislative obligations as an employer, we are not able to provide any further information," she said.

The charge of being in possession of a prohibited firearm carries a maximum penalty of five years in jail.

He was arrested as part of a wider police operation that saw three search warrants used by police at other properties in Whangārei and Kerikeri. The wider operation in March saw police seize a total of 16 firearms, including a semi-automatic weapon.

The same searches, as part of the broader police operation, turned up a pair of grenades, later found to be non-functioning. Overall, Northland police have seized 64 firearms, more than $35,000 in cash, and made 42 arrests.