The Provisional IRA are believed to be behind the hijacking of a lorry yesterday containing 3.3 million cigarettes worth around €1.5 million. The driver of the lorry was abducted but later turned up after sustaining minor injuries.
The incident took place at 7.30 a.m. at Killeen, just a few hundred yards north of the Border on the main Dublin-Belfast road outside Newry, Co Armagh. The road was busy with early morning rush-hour traffic at the time.
The gang of up to 14 involved in the elaborate and well-planned operation passed themselves off as workmen by wearing yellow fluorescent jackets and hard hats. Roadworks have been taking place in the area recently.
The location and method of the operation led the PSNI and gardaí to suspect that Provisional IRA figures rather than dissident republicans were behind the incident. It emerged last night that the gang had unsuccessfully tried to hijack another lorry but it failed to stop. It was also carrying cigarettes. The gang then targeted a second truck.
The driver stopped at what he thought were roadworks after being instructed to do so by the gang. He was then confronted by a number of men, two of whom were carrying handguns.
The window of the cab was smashed during the hold-up.
The truck driver was bundled into another vehicle and driven some distance. He was questioned by some of the gang and then driven a further distance before finally being left in the middle of the South Armagh countryside.
He found his way to police in Newry some hours later. He was tied up during the incident and his face was covered.
He sustained minor cuts and bruises and was interviewed by PSNI officers yesterday. The container of 3.3 million cigarettes, being brought from Belfast for sale in Dublin, was driven further south until it crossed into the Republic. The gang then turned west and over the Border into Jonesborough, South Armagh.
The cab was found burnt out near lower Killeavy around an hour after the hold-up but the 40-foot container of cigarettes was missing.
The container was recovered by gardaí last night on the main Carrickmacross-Ballybay Road. It had been set alight and the cigarettes removed.
Supt Tom Long of Carrickmacross said the gang had removed side markings from the trailer. Two units of Carrickmacross fire service were called to the scene.
The PSNI in Newry are appealing for anyone travelling along the Dublin Road at the time and who saw anyone dressed in the way described and acting suspiciously to contact them.
They also want to hear from any other motorists who were approached by the men as they believe a number of vehicles were stopped prior to the hijacking, probably in an effort to appear legitimate.
The cigarettes are expected to be sold on the black market on both sides of the Border.
Because they were destined for the Republic, it will be practically impossible to distinguish them from those being sold legitimately. Yesterday's events came just one week after the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, said he was "certain" Provisional IRA figures were still heavily involved in organised crime.
Gardaí in the Republic have identified a 10-strong gang of dissident republicans based in Dublin's north inner city who they believe are responsible for smuggling cigarettes through Dublin Port for distribution North and South of the Border.
The gang is one of 17 of the most organised crime groups in the State according to Garda intelligence.