A police search of a Nanaimo home just after midnight Sunday turned up a replica Glock handgun and a small amount of marijuana, cocaine and heroin.
Nanaimo RCMP had learned a man at the home was a suspect in an assault that left a woman with significant injuries. They believed he had a firearm in his possession, as well.
The possibility of a firearm in the home and concern over the potential for violence from the suspect led to the RCMP Emergency Response Team being brought in to assist.
A 33-year-old man was arrested without incident on a charge of assault causing bodily harm. A 43-year-old woman also found in the home was released without being charged.