RUC confirm LVF link
The RUC say a weapons haul found in east Belfast is linked to the LVF, a group supposedly on ceasefire.
The guns and 1500 rounds of ammunition were discovered, including eight handguns, an assault rifle, a sawn-off shotgun, two magazines of ammunition, two bullet-proof vests, gloves and balaclavas.
Police found the cache after a hijacking in east Belfast when two men ordered a driver delivering cigarettes to take them to a house where they unloaded the car and set it alight. Police mounted a search operation when the hijacking was reported and found the arsenal in an upstairs bedroom. The 41-year-old householder was arrested.
The LVF was founded by Billy Wright, known as King Rat, who was himself murdered in jail and is avidly anti-Agreement. Although it is technically on ceasefire, its members are believed to be involved in murder, bombings, intimidation, drug dealing and racketeering.
Disaffected members of another Loyalist splinter group, the Red Hand Commando, may also be connected to the weapons. Det Inspector George Mellor confirmed, "This is the biggest seizure of loyalist weaponry in east Belfast in several years."
