The PSNI are hunting a man who robbed a shop in Carrickfergus at gunpoint

Provisional IRA figures in south Armagh are involved in a major human trafficking operation with eastern European gangsters, according to police sources.

The PSNI has uncovered the racket in a series of raids since last month when 21 trafficked men and women were discovered "working in the agricultural sector in south Armagh", the PSNI said in a statement.

Police have carried out a series of raids on food producing plants and farms where the migrants have been working for less than minimum wage.

They also raided a premises closely associated with the leadership of the Provisional IRA in south Armagh.

Another location raided by the PSNI is understood to belong to a senior republican figure in south Armagh.

The PSNI has not named the Provisional IRA as being involved in the people smuggling operations, but police sources have confirmed this is the case.

Belfast Telegraph