A man allegedly found with weapons including a pistol while lying about his intentions at a South Albury border checkpoint has been freed.
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Jaydan Waihaki Nuku must live with his mother near Griffith under "house arrest" until he next fronts Albury Local Court on bail in two weeks' time.
He was arrested at the Wodonga Place checkpoint on Friday about 8.30am.
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When questioned by checkpoint officers, Nuku is alleged to have told them he was crossing the border under the pretext of child access and care arrangements.
This was "false".
Nuku was travelling with a woman, 41, who was sent back to Victoria on presenting a permit that only allowed her entry via Sydney airport.
Wearing a black singlet emblazoned with a "Celtics" logo, Nuku, 27, appeared in Albury Local Court on Monday via a video link to an Albury police station dock.
Magistrate Imad Abdul-Karim said the pistol-related charge meant the Wodonga man had to show cause as to why his continuing detention was not justified.
"I think it's by way of being in possession of a pistol in a public place," Mr Abdul-Karim said.
Defence lawyer Bronte Winn said Nuku was not ready to indicate a plea to the charges.
That was because he still needed to get legal advice.
Nuku is charged with falsely provide or give false information on request with regard to COVID-19 public health orders, possess or use a prohibited weapon without a permit, possess an unregistered firearm and possess or use a prohibited weapon without a permit.
Two of the weapons charges relate to a wooden mace with a studded head and a butterfly knife.
The unregistered firearm charge relates to a black air pistol inscribed with "Glock 17 New Order Commemorative".
Police prosecutor Sergeant Andrew Pike said this was a serious allegation.
"It's been adapted to look more real," he said, granting the weapon a far more "nefarious" purpose.
Sergeant Pike, in opposing bail after Mr Abdul-Karim found that cause had been shown, said the threshold for jail had been crossed, though it was still the court's prerogative as to whether this could be imposed by way of an intensive corrections order.
It is alleged that Nuku provided a "child access and care arrangement" permit stating he had dropped children off in Victoria and was returning to NSW.
But the car didn't have any child restraints and Nuku allegedly gave different names for the children while talking with different officers and could not recall their ages or dates of birth.
The case was adjourned to October 7.
