Tauranga Port evacuated in grenade scare

A routine x-ray of a container showed an item that appeared to be a grenade. Photo / Thinkstock

A suspicious item evacuated Tauranga Port this morning and sparked a call-out for police and the Defence Force.

A routine x-ray of a container at the port this morning showed an item that appeared to be a grenade.

By afternoon, the Defence Force had confirmed the item was a realistic looking replica German stick grenade.

This replica grenade scare comes after the Armed Offenders Squad were called to Papamoa for a man allegedly holding what appeared to be a semi-automatic rifle.

The man, in his 30s, was arrested on January 15 after armed police responded to several phone calls about a male carrying a long-barrelled gun along Range Rd towards Evans Rd, and shots fired.

Police said when the man was located in Evans Rd, he was holding what appeared to be a semi-automatic rifle M4 and another was strapped to his back.

The weapons turned out to be paintball guns.

The man will appear in court next month, charged with discharging a firearm in and near a dwelling, and possession of firearm.