Defence Force checks stocks after weapons seized

The Defence Force is checking its weapon and ammunition stocks after police found an arsenal of bombs and weapons during a stand-off with a man at a suburban Christchurch house yesterday.

Kenneth Daniel Hawkins, 38, appeared in Christchurch District Court yesterday on a single charge of illegal possession of a hand grenade but the court was told further charges were likely.

Judge Brian Callaghan rejected his bid for bail.

Police cordoned off Callan Place, in Hoon Hay, for more than a day while police and army bomb-disposal experts, with a remote-controlled robot, were called in and neighbours reported hearing explosions and seeing smoke at the house during the investigation.

New Zealand Defence Force spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Mike Shatford said a full investigation into any link to the military of the ammunition and items found had been launched.

"The chief of defence force has ordered a defence wide review to determine if there is a military link to the case.

"As a precaution defence will also review its weapons and ammunition accounting procedures."

A quantity of small arms, military style ammunition and items were found at the scene but there would be no further comment as to the details of the weapons while the case was before the courts, he said.

The Press newspaper reported the cache was one of the biggest private weapons stockpiles dealt with by the New Zealand military.

It was found on Tuesday morning when police, armed with semi-automatic weapons, stormed the property.

Among the weapons believed to be found at the address were a paraflare, a fragmentation grenade, thunderflashes, modified thunderflashes to act as a bomb, a large quantity of ammunition and two hydroponic cannabis-growing set-ups.

It is understood reports that a claymore mine with a 50m kill radius had been found were incorrect.

- NZPA