Detectives investigating the break-in at Castlereagh Special Branch complex are seeking the extradition from America of a chef.
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Police officers stand guard outside Castlereagh police station in east Belfast. Photo: Reuters - file
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Officers who want him returned for questioning to Belfast are preparing a file for consideration by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The chef, who worked at the Castlereagh complex, left for New York shortly after the March 17th raid, in which documents on informants were stolen.
Republicans have insisted that the IRA was not behind the break-in, instead pointing to the involvement of British intelligence services.
None of the missing papers has been recovered and nobody has been charged with break-in, which deeply embarrassed security chiefs who claimed the IRA may have been responsible.
The British government ordered its own inquiry and police in Belfast also disclosed today that nine London Metropolitan officers have been called in to carry out a review of the police investigation.
That review, which is part of normal procedure, could last up to three months.
Police have not named the individual whose extradition is being sought but he has been questioned at least twice before - once in Belfast before he left for the States and then in New York by the officer heading up the police investigation, Detective Chief Superintendent Phil Wright.
He worked in a canteen at Castlereagh and was on first-name terms with Special Branch and M15 officers based there.
A statement issued in Belfast today said: "As part of the investigation into the aggravated burglary at Castlereagh police complex, a file is being prepared for consideration by the Director of Public Prosecutions to seek the extradition of an individual currently in the United States.
"The assistant Chief Constable for the urban region, Alan McQuillan, has agreed to a request from the senior investigating officer to call in an external review team.
"The nine officers from the Metropolitan Police are experienced detectives in investigating serious crime and terrorism.
"They will support the senior investigating officer and ensure that the Castlereagh investigation is being carried out in line with national standards. The review is currently under way and may last up to three months."
addiontal reporting PA