Rukuhia Rd near Hamilton Airport reopens after AOS raid on property

Rukuhia Rd near Hamilton Airport was closed for more than two hours and the nearby school was put in lockdown while Armed Offenders Squad members entered the property using tear gas. Photo / File

By Nikki Preston

Rukuhia Rd near Hamilton Airport has reopened after AOS invaded a property on the street today.

The road was closed at both ends for more than two hours and the nearby school was put in lockdown while about 15 members of the Armed Offenders Squad entered the property using tear gas.

Residents told the Herald they heard loud bangs and looked outside to see police and police dogs at 33 Rukuhia Rd.

Broken windows showing signs of where the tear gas was thrown can be seen in multiple windows.

Residents said they heard loud bangs and saw police and police dogs at the property. Photo / Google

One resident told the Herald police had told him that they were carrying out a search warrant but needed the AOS due to issues with firearms at the property in the past.

No one was the property at the time of the search.

It was about the fourth time in four years AOS had visited the address, he said.

Another neighbour thought an older couple owned the house, but said a large number of people came and went from the house.

A person who lived at the property had sustained injuries and was receiving treatment at Waikato Hospital.

Hamilton CIB detective Scott McKenzie said police were carrying out a scene investigation and wanted to hear from anyone who had seen or heard anything unusual or suspicious that may have occurred in Rukuhia Rd near Ohaupo Rd between 5pm on Sunday and 12pm today.

"Just in general anything unusual that stood out - odd sounds, odd people. People who aren't usually in the area.

"Police have utilised the assistance of the AOS to enable us to investigate what has occurred at this address."

McKenzie said it was still early stages in the inquiry.