Police have found firearms, drugs and ammunition after a routine traffic stop in Tauranga.

When officers stopped a car on Welcome Bay Rd about 4.25am on Tuesday, they immediately noticed a strong smell of cannabis from the vehicle, police said.

They searched the car and found two firearms – one an imitation, 10 rounds of ammunition, a bong, cannabis, and methamphetamine.

A 28-year-old man is due in the Tauranga District Court on August 6 on charges including possession of cannabis, possession of methamphetamine, unlawfully carrying a firearm, unlawfully carrying ammunition, possession of drug utensils and being an unlicensed driver failing to comply with prohibition.

Another person was released without charge.

Inspector Clifford Paxton said this was excellent work by local staff and showed what benefit came from business-as-usual policing.

“Our role as police is to prevent harm and hold offenders to account, and I’m proud of my staff who have done this on this occasion.”