A Frenchman was found with a flick knife in his possession when he was stopped for a drink-driving check in Queenstown early today.
Police stopped the 26-year-old's camper van on Frankton Road at 3.45am.
Sergeant Mark Gill, of Queenstown, said an evidential breath test returned a reading of 1077mcg.
The legal limit is 250mcg.
''Officers conducted a search and found a flick knife,'' Sgt Gill said.
''They're not allowed. You can have a locking knife, like a Leatherman, but the only point to a flick knife is to cause harm.
''They're the same as a knuckle duster.''
The Frenchman, travelling in the van with his partner, was charged with possession of an offensive weapon and drink-driving. He is due to appear in Queenstown District Court within the next week.
Sgt Gill said it was a random stop.
''It's that time of the morning when we're pulling people over.
''It's a reminder to everybody out there that we'll always be checking for drink-driving, any time, any place and anywhere.''
