Hong Kong police have arrested a suspected triad member and his girlfriend after seizing a stash of weapons in a raid on a New Territories village home that officers believed was used as a mini-arsenal.

A law enforcement source on Tuesday said intelligence indicated the rental flat in Yuen Long was used by a Wo Shing Wo triad group to store weapons that could be intended for gang fights and showdowns against rivals.

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The weapons – 35 knives, 15 daggers, six catapults and a bag of iron shots – were discovered when anti-triad officers raided the flat at Sheung Yau Tin Tsuen on Fung Cheung Road at about 7.30pm on Monday.

On the premises, police arrested a 59-year-old man – a suspected Wo Shing Wo member – and his 50-year-old girlfriend. The jobless pair were detained on suspicion of possessing offensive weapons.

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Possession of an offensive weapon is punishable by up to two years in jail and a HK$5,000 (US$637) fine under the Summary Offences Ordinance.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the suspects were still being held for questioning. The anti-triad squad of Yuen Long police district is investigating the case.

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The discovery of the cache was made less than 20 hours after four men, including two brothers, were slashed with knives following an argument at a pub in Yuen Long at about 12.30am on Monday. Officers are searching for more than 10 assailants in connection with the knife attack.