American basketball star Metta World Peace was caught up in a major police incident outside his Los Angeles home in the early hours of Tuesday morning (19Feb13) as cops swooped on a group of men carrying firearms.

Armed police raced to the sports star's home after receiving a tip-off which suggested four men carrying guns were lurking around the property, according to Tmz.com.

The website reports the Los Angeles Lakers player had to be woken by officers after his brother and cousin stepped outside to investigate the commotion and were both handcuffed by suspicious cops.

They were both released after they were identified by Metta World Peace.

The armed suspects were eventually found to be residents of the luxury complex who were simply returning home carrying Bb guns which they had used in the recording of a video.

Metta World Peace legally changed his name from Ron Artest in 2011.