AP

Federal agents have raided an armory owned by security contractor Blackwater Worldwide.

The North Carolina-based company said the raid was part of an investigation into a deal that allowed a local sheriff's office to store high-powered assault rifles at the company's armory at its headquarters in Moyock.

Blackwater spokeswoman Anne Tyrrell says that investigators with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives searched Blackwater's armory Tuesday.

She said she did not know whether the weapons in question were seized.

Tyrrell said ATF has known about the arrangement for a long time and that the company believes it is lawful and proper.

Both ATF and U.S. Attorney George Holding declined to comment.