At 12.45am on Tuesday, officers attached to Orana Mid Western Police District responded to reports of a vehicle stopped in the middle of the Mitchell Highway, approximately eight kilometres east of Trangie.

Police arrived to find the driver, a 24-year-old man, asleep in a vehicle allegedly stolen from Queensland in June 2018.

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The man was arrested and a search of the vehicle was conducted.

Police located a loaded sawn-off shotgun and ammunition in the car, along with a small amount of cannabis and various industrial tools believed to be stolen goods.

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The man was taken to Dubbo Police Station and charged with possess loaded firearm in public place, possess shortened firearm, possess ammunition, possess prohibited drug, possess property stolen outside the state, goods in custody and disqualified driving.

He was bail refused and appeared before Dubbo Local Court on Tuesday.

Investigations continue.

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