Armed police in Judea this morning. Photo / George Novak
A person was found seriously injured at a Judea property when police entered during a pre-planned search warrant today.
Cambridge Rd between Waihi Rd and Westminster Drive was closed during the operation but reopened about 9.45am.
Armed police were helping execute a pre-planned search warrant at an address and were there as a precaution, a police spokeswoman said.
She said distraction devices, which make a banging sound when deployed, were used before the police entered the house.
The wanted person was found injured and needing medical attention inside the property, the spokeswoman said.
Their injuries were not related to any police action, she said.
No charges had been laid.
A St John spokeswoman confirmed one person was taken to hospital in a serious condition.
A Bay of Plenty Times reporter at the scene said about 12 more armed offenders squad members had arrived at the scene about 9am as well as an ambulance and a dog squad.
Bangs from what sounded like flash grenades were also heard.
A woman, who wanted to remain anonymous, told the Bay of Plenty Times traffic was backed down to the lights by the kindergarten in Otumoetai Rd this morning.
A man who lived within the cordoned area said he heard six or seven "pop, pop, pops" and an ambulance arrived 20 minutes later.
The man said he was worried about some of his family who were still at home during the police operation.
No arrests have been made at this stage, a police spokeswoman said.
Businesses say sales have dropped since the road was made one-way.