Armed police block Barrett Rd in Whakamārama for search

Police on Barrett Rd in Whakamārama this morning. Photo / David Hall

Armed police locked down a road in Whakamārama, near Tauranga, for more than two hours this morning.

One local reported seeing armed officers blocking both ends of Barrett Rd from about 5am, with the road remaining closed until about 7.15am.

Police at the scene of an operation in Whakamārama. Photo / David Hall

The woman, who did not want to be named, said motorists were forced to detour via Old Highway Rd.

She described a heavy police presence, with armed officers.

“They wouldn’t tell the public why or when it would be open,” she said.

“It was definitely something serious.”

The woman said it was “kind of frightening” to see.

An officer taking photo as part of a police operation in Whakamārama. Photo / David Hall

A police spokesperson said the police presence was in relation to a pre-planned search warrant.

“We don’t have any further information at this time.”

The spokesperson said officers remained in the area this morning.