The alleged north coast drug dealer known as Suspect 1 was arrested hours before the Irish News published details of a secretly recorded conversation between him and two PSNI intelligence officers.
The man was arrested last Sunday in Portstewart in relation to a cannabis find in nearby Portrush a day earlier.
Suspect 1’s arrest took place on the same day the Irish News asked the PSNI to comment on bombshell claims made by a police officer that colleagues may be working for a man they believe is a major dealer in the area - known as Target 1.
The two C3 Intelligence Branch officers were recorded attempting to recruit Suspect 1 to provide information about Target 1 in return for cash.
[ Police Ombudsman launches informer tape probeOpens in new window ]
The Irish News understands that the drug bust came after the PSNI seized a car on Saturday on suspicion of a motoring offence.
In is understood the car was later searched and it is believed up to half a kilo of cannabis was found.
The vehicle was later linked to Suspect 1 and he was arrested on Sunday.
A spokeswoman for the PSNI said: “A man in his 20s was arrested by police in the Portstewart area on July 23rd following the discovery of a large amount of cannabis in a car in the Portrush area the previous day.
“The man was released on bail pending further enquiries.”
