The driver of a truck seized by gardai last week in Co Monaghan containing an £8 million drugs haul and 25 weapons - 15 mini sub-machineguns and 10 pistols - was released from custody on Saturday after being questioned for six days at Carrickmacross.
However, at a special sitting in Ardee, Co Louth, yesterday, Judge Flann Brennan granted an application by gardai to extend the period of detention in respect of the owner of the lorry until tomorrow.
It is understood that a tip-off by intelligence sources about an arms-buying attempt by a group on the continent led to a step-up in security along the Border.