packs of TM500. In 2001 RIRA members travelled to Slovakia to procure arms, and were caught in a sting operation by the British security agency MI5. The men attempted to purchase five tonnes of plastic explosives, 2,000 detonators, 500 handguns, 200 rocket-propelled-grenades, and also wire-guided missiles and sniper rifles. Three men from County Louth were arrested and extradited to the UK and subsequently imprisoned for 30 years each after pleading guilty to conspiring to cause explosions and other charges. In June 2006, the PSNI made arrests following an MI5 sting operation targeting a dissident republican gun smuggling plot. The RIRA had attempted to procure arms from France including Semtex and C-4 plastic explosives, SA-7 surface-to-air missiles, AK-47s, rocket launchers, heavy machine guns, sniper rifles, pistols with silencers, anti-tank weapons and detonators. On 30 June 2010, two of those arrested were found guilty following a trial by judge in Belfast. On 1 October 2010, one man was sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment for attempting to import weapons and explosives, while the other was sentenced to four years' imprisonment for making a Portuguese property available for the purpose of terrorism. See also List of designated terrorist groups References External links 1997 establishments in Ireland Irish republican militant groups Organisations designated as terrorist by the United Kingdom Organised crime groups in Ireland Organizations based in Europe designated as terrorist Organizations designated as terrorist by Canada Organizations designated as terrorist by the United States Organisations designated as terrorist by New Zealand Organizations established in 1997 Political schisms Proscribed paramilitary organisations in Northern Ireland Proscribed paramilitary organisations in the Republic of Ireland