Armed police were called out to Whitehaven after reports that a number of men had a firearm.
Officers responded to the call at around 2.50pm yesterday, March 29, to the Meadow Road area.
Three men were arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm.
A further two men were arrested late last night – one on suspicion of possession of a firearm and another on suspicion of assisting an offender.
They remain in custody today.
A number of properties were searched by officers during the enquiry.
Cumbria police said residents may see an increased police presence in the area as investigations continue.
As a precaution, firearms officers were deployed during an earlier stage of the enquiry.
Anyone with information can contact police on 101, referring to incident 138 of March 29.
