The owners of a Tauranga motor inn were "shocked and horrified" when members of the Armed Offenders Squad raided their property last night.
Traffic was blocked from entering Turret Rd from the Welcome Bay and Maungatapu roundabouts and 15th Ave about 6pm.
Armed police and AOS members were executing a search warrant
at a room at Bennetts Motor Inn, on the corner of 15th Ave and Turret Rd. Owner Pam Hardwick said she wasn't aware police were there until she heard dogs.
"I was inside cooking dinner and we heard the dogs and a lot of shouting. I looked out the window and there were police cars.
"My husband went outside and was ordered back inside and told to wait, so we did that. We just rang a few other guests to make sure they were okay.
"It was very, very scary."
There were not many other guests at the motor inn at the time.
Western Bay of Plenty police Inspector Karl Wright-St Clair said the AOS targeted two men in a motel unit and were looking for firearms.
Two 28-year-old men who had booked into the hotel for the night were arrested.
The men are expected to appear in Tauranga District Court today for breaching court orders.
The incident closed off Turrett Rd for about 20 minutes, Mr Wright-St Clair said. City-bound motorists coming from Welcome Bay were diverted along State Highway 29 instead.
"The Welcome Bay roundabout was closed off for the safety of officers and persons at the address," Mr Wright-St Clair said.
The road was re-opened about 6.30pm.
