Criminals have been flooding Northern Ireland with Russian handguns, the type used in gangland hits in Dublin and in the murder of former IRA commander Gerard 'Jock' Davison.
In June last year a senior detective investigating the murder of Mr Davison, gunned down in the Market's area of south Belfast the previous month, said the Makarov handgun used in the killing was "extremely rare" in Northern Ireland.
But since then the guns have become increasingly more common among criminals north of the border. The Irish News understands that when new the guns can fetch as much as £2,200 with silencer and ammunition. Previously used weapons have been changing hands for much less and in some cases are being traded in exchange for drugs or to clear debts.
The gun used to kill Mr Davison was traced to a batch of guns brought into Ireland by eastern European criminals, similar weapons have been used in a series of gangland shootings in Dublin.
A gun from the same shipment used in the attempted assassination of Dublin gangland boss John Gilligan.
Leading loyalist Mark Harbinson was remanded in custody at the weekend charged with possessing one of the distinctive pistols.
The 48-year-old, of Sheepwalk Road, Lisburn, was charged with possession of a semi-automatic pistol, a silencer and 28 rounds of ammunition with intent to endanger life.
The weapon was found following a police search of his house and out buildings on December 21, the gun found hidden in a biscuit tin.
Makarov pistols, standard issue to Russian state forces, would have been rare in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. The guns, which are considered more reliable at close range than other handguns, can only be used with ammunition by the same manufacturer.
However, in the last two years there have been an increase in the number of attacks carried out using the Russian weapons.
In March 2013, criminal godfather John Gilligan was shot four times at his brother's house at Greenfort, in the Clondalkin area of Dublin. He survived the attack but fled Ireland shortly afterwards.
As Ireland's most high profile gangster Gilligan was linked to the 1996 killing of Dublin crime reporter Veronica Guerin. He was extradited from Amsterdam to stand trial for ordering the murder of the journalist but later acquitted of all involvement.
However, he was given a 28-year sentence for importing 21 tons of drugs. It was later reduced on appeal to 20 years, and he was released from jail in October 2013.
Gilligan's bodyguard, Stephen 'Dougie' Moran was shot dead in Co Dublin by a hitman using a Makarov pistol in March 2014.
The gun used in the shooting of Davison at Welsh Street in the Markets area of south Belfast on May 5, had no ballistics history, meaning it had not been used in any previous attack.
The Irish News understands it was one of three, never before used, Makarov pistols purchased from Ukrainian criminals who had been supplying drugs and guns to Belfast based dealers.
