Three men were arrested yesterday by police investigating loyalist killings in north Belfast.
The Historical Enquiries Team (HET) re-examined at least 10 murders blamed on the UVF. Now at least 20 more cases have been taken on by the police service itself.
The suspects, aged 28, 32 and 62, were arrested in the greater Belfast area.
A police spokesman said: “This is a large and complex investigation which will continue for a considerable time.”
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Operation Ballast investigated an Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) gang based in the Mount Vernon estate in north Belfast. The original inquiry was set up amid claims that the security forces colluded with UVF members over the killings.