Two men have been arrested as part of a National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation into the attempted importation of a firearm into Northern Ireland.
They were detained at an address in Ballymoney, Co Antrim yesterday morning following a joint operation involving PSNI and NCA officers.
The pair, aged 38 and 29, were last night being questioned by NCA investigators, while searches at addresses in Ballymoney continue.
The arrests follow a Border Force seizure of a package containing a functioning handgun, two magazines and more than 50 rounds of ammunition at an international parcel hub in England.
NCA Belfast branch commander David Cunningham described the arrests as an "excellent example" of how the NCA, PSNI and Border Force are working together.
“Those wishing to bring firearms into our communities do so for one reason, to cause serious harm," he said.
"Stopping the supply is a priority for us and we will do everything we can, with our partners, to bring those responsible to justice."
