POLICE have told how they found two handguns and rounds of ammunition inside an Ottoman during a search of a home in Colchester.

Officers from the Organised Crime Partnership (OCP), a joint Nation Crime Agency and Metropolitan Police unit, carried out the search of a property in Broom Way, Colchester.

During the search officers reported how they seized two handguns, one of which was fully loaded.

And officers also told how they found firearms in a wooden box, stored in an Ottoman at the end of a bed, along with up to fifty bullets.

Mobile phones, a baton and a selection of suspected class A drugs were also removed from the property.

And police told how more than £8,000 in cash was seized from safes.

Det Insp Richard Smith from the OCP said: “With the support of Essex Police, we’ve taken two potentially deadly weapons out of circulation.

“The OCP is dedicated to reducing serious and organised crime, which includes investigating the supply of firearms and class A drugs into the UK.”

Officers have since arrested two people in relation to firearms offences.

They have both now been charged and are next due to appear at Ipswich Crown Court on March 29. Lance Ames, 64, of Broom Way, Colchester, was charged with possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of ammunition without a licence and obstructing police.

Kim Ames, 61, also of Broom Way, was also taken into custody and charged with possession of a prohibited weapon and possession of ammunition without a licence.