Sergeant Martin Flannery, of Portland police, said police executed a search warrant at the south Portland property on Friday and found the man in possession of a small amount of cannabis and the imitation pistol.

"We had several reports of the imitation pistol being displayed. Basically it was a toy gun that's been made to look more realistic," Sergeant Flannery said.

"A warning for people out there with toy guns, don't modify them to look real, or display or brandish them."

He said the man was also assisting police with inquiries regarding the theft of petrol worth about $100 from a Portland service station on two occasions in July and August.

The man was charged and bailed for drugs and firearms offences and will face the Portland Magistrates' Court in December.

Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.