Three arrested after guns and explosives found in house

Three men were due to appear in court today after a search warrant uncovered explosives and firearms from a Lower Hutt house.

An army bomb disposal unit was called in to help police recover suspected explosives from the house on Eastern Hutt Road after entering the property on a search warrant.

Inspector Bruce Dunstan said a number of firearms and what was suspected to be industrial explosives were found at the property.

Police and the armed offenders squad cordoned off the area around 3pm and the road was reopened at 5pm.

The suspected explosives had not been moved and the road may be closed again today when they are recovered.

Police said four men at the house were taken to Lower Hutt Police Station and three would appear in Lower Hutt District Court today facing a variety of charges

Police said the house was in a semi-industrial area and it was not a known gang address.

One local resident told National Radio that new people moved into the house a few months ago.

- NZPA