MONAGHAN SEIZURE LINKED TO KILLINGS by Patsy McArdle

Police in the Netherlands and the gardai are now satisfied there was a
direct link between the recent killings in the Hague and the seizure
of pounds 8 millions worth of drugs and guns near Castleblainey, Co.
Monaghan over a year ago.

More than 700 kilos of cannabis and 25 machine pistols destined for
the Real IRA were seized when the gardai raided a lorry outside a cold
store plant in Castleblainey.

The illicit cargo which was shipped from Amsterdam was hidden in
pallets of bread.

Detectives working with Interpol now believe this was the third
largest drugs haul seized by the authorities as a result of a tip-off
in the Hague.

They believe the killings were ordered by a drugs baron who suspected
one of the gang was working as an informer for Dutch police - in
return for immunity from prosecution.