Seized arsenal of weapons was large enough to 'start a war'

A massive arsenal of weapons and ammunition destined for criminal gangs in the North and the Republic was large enough to start a war, PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde said today.

Orde revealed that a total of 230 handguns, 10,000 rounds of ammunition, €450,000 cash and drugs with an estimated street value of over €4m have now been seized in the international police operation.

Six people remain in custody in Dublin, Belfast and Amsterdam after forces from the three jurisdictions swooped on the suspected trafficking ring this week.

He also said the operation against the criminal underworld had undoubtedly thwarted many murders, kidnappings and other violent crimes.

“We have a large number of lethal weapons that were being distributed across Europe and, in particular, our concern was Northern Ireland and our colleagues in the Republic,” he said.

The officer described the operation as the largest against criminal gangs in the UK in his recent memory.

“This is a massive blow (against the gang),” he said. “To re-engineer a distribution network of this size would take a considerable period of time.”

The PSNI has ruled out a paramilitary link to the trafficking gang, but officers warned that guns and bullets could have found their way into the hands of dissident republican terrorists.

Two men arrested in Co Tipperary were released today and six people remain in custody. One man was arrested in Belfast city centre on Tuesday night.

Thomas Mulqueen, (aged 42) from Borrisokane, Co Tipperary, who was arrested on Tuesday, was remanded in custody in a Dublin court yesterday on drugs charges.

Three Dutch men, aged 41, 42 and 53, and a 27-year-old Brazilian woman, who were detained by police in Amsterdam following a tip-off from detectives in the North, also remain in custody today.

Dutch police seized 165 firearms in a car and at a factory in the Oud-West area of Amsterdam wrapped and ready for delivery. It is understood the weapons were bound for Ireland.

Today, Hugh showed the haul that had been seized in raids in Belfast.

It included 14 Glock pistols, 1,500 rounds and €400,000 in cash.

“This was a massively successful police operation, which was led by this organisation (PSNI).”