Loyalist drugs haul seized

Ecstasy tablets were among the haul

Police investigating loyalist paramilitary drug dealing in Northern Ireland have seized several million pounds worth of drugs in Holland.

The haul, including 750,000 ecstasy tablets, bulking agents for cocaine and three weapons, was uncovered in an operation near Amsterdam.

Two Dutch nationals have been arrested.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland said the operation was part of the on-going investigation into drug dealing activities by the Loyalist Volunteer Force in Mid Ulster.

They said it was linked to a number of major drugs seizures in Northern Ireland.

In a statement on Monday, the police said: "PSNI Drugs Squad officers believe that this European wide police operation has had a major impact on the drugs manufacture and supply route to the LVF."

The drugs were recovered following a joint operation between the PSNI Drugs Squad, the National Criminal Intelligence Service and Dutch Police.

Assistant Chief Constable Sam Kincaid who is head of the Police Service's Crime Operations Department praised the co-operation with police in Holland.