A 32-year-old man has been charged with a series of firearms offences after police seized a loaded, double barrel sawn-off shotgun from a property in Launceston on Thursday.

Acting on information received, detectives from the Northern Criminal Investigations Division and specialist resources conducted a targeted search of a private residence in the suburb of Invermay.

A person of interest was located inside the premises and was allegedly in possession of a backpack containing shotgun cartridges.

During the search police located a double barrel shotgun, with two cartridges in the breach, in a bedroom.

A 32-year-old man from Youngtown was arrested at the scene and later charged and detained to appear in court today.

The man is facing several charges, including possession of a shortened firearm, possession of a firearm when not the holder of a licence of the appropriate category, and failing to ensure the safekeeping of a firearm and ammunition.

Disrupting firearms-related crime is a priority for Tasmania Police.

If you have information regarding unlawful firearms, contact police on 131 444, or you can report anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperstas.com.au