Car scrape leads to drugs bust

A couple who pursued a gang member after a minor crash led police to a suspected major drugs haul - and a loaded rifle - in his vehicle.

A 1.1kg package of white powder found in the boot of the car will go to the Crown forensic scientists today to establish if it is methamphetamine.

Police expect to learn the results of tests later today or tomorrow.

The street value of that amount of P - when broken down and sold in small quantities - could be worth up to $1 million but the drug sold in bulk may fetch half that amount.

The unsuspecting couple followed the Mitsubishi saloon after their wing mirror was clipped on Chichester Drive, Papakura, at 11.30pm on Saturday.

They "gave chase" until the Mitsubishi pulled over to the side of the road, said Detective Sergeant Steve Brewer.

"They've had a discussion about the crash and the member of the public called the police."

Police officers who arrived at the scene arrested the driver for driving while disqualified.

They noticed white powder in a pocket of the driver's door and a rifle "clearly visible" on the backseat. It had a bullet in the chamber and the safety catch was off.

Mr Brewer said the find was "very concerning. Especially if anyone armed in that fashion gets involved in some sort of altercation over a small driving matter, [that] makes us quite concerned."

Inspector Scott Webb of the police northern communications centre said the driver was a patched gang member but he did not identify the gang.

Mr Brewer would not comment on the man's gang connections.

He said a further search of the car found the 1.1kg bag of white powder wrapped in plastic in the boot.

"We have no idea [what the drug is]," said Mr Brewer. "We don't lick our little finger and dab it in and taste it as they do on the movies, so we won't know [until it is tested]."

A 39-year-old man is due to appear in the Papakura District Court this morning on driving and firearms charges.