A knuckle duster, a homemade gun, a quantity of drugs and a large stash of cash have been found in a “suspect car” in Melbourne’s south-east.

Police were patrolling Beaconsfield about 10.30pm on Saturday when they located the car, searching it and its two inhabitants as well as a third person squatting beside it.

A 26-year-old man was charged with drug-related offences and possessing a prohibited weapon, while a 24-year-old woman was charged with driving-related offences.

A 25-year-old man was charged with drug-related offences and possessing an unregistered handgun.

All three have been bailed and will appear in court in February.