Two quizzed on weapons seizure

Two men were being questioned tonight about a major weapons seizure and intelligence gathering operation linked to dissident republican terrorists in the North.

Organised Crime Branch detectives made the arrests as part of an intelligence-led offensive on an alleged extortion racket against members of the Travelling community.

Police searched eight houses after the arrests were made in the Dargan industrial estate area of north Belfast earlier this week.

As well as seizing three vehicles, five real and replica handguns, a shotgun and AK47 were all taken, police confirmed.

Ammunition and component parts for an explosive device were found.

Investigating detectives also recovered a notebook containing the personal details of members of the security forces, believed to be both military and police, during the operation.

Sources close to the investigation said it was linked to the dissident republican Continuity IRA, a terrorist organisation opposed to the peace process.

It is also understood the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Organised Crime Branch carried out the searches in a probe into extortion on a well-known family of Travellers in the Belfast area.