Police in Northern Ireland believe between six and 10 men were involved in the robbery of a Boots chemist in Belfast city centre on Saturday.
During the robbery a gang held two employees' families hostage before robbing the chemist of £118,000, police revealed today.
Detectives played down initial suspicions that the IRA might have been involved.
The two Boots' staff members were then ordered to go into work on Saturday and clear out all the cash.
Chief Inspector Ian Gilchrist
The money was put into sports bags and given to gang members waiting at a building society branch close to the scene on Donegall Place.
The hand-over, in front of early morning shoppers, took place within sight of the Northern's HQ where £26.5million was seized from the vaults and carried out by employees who had also had family taken hostage.
But the detective in charge of the new investigation today appeared to dismiss any involvement by the IRA.
Chief Inspector Ian Gilchrist said: "There's in the region of possibly six to 10 persons involved in the crime.
"The investigation is at a very early stage. In saying that, at this stage paramilitary involvement is not a main line of inquiry."
Boots has launched a major review of its security at the store following the weekend raid, and the company have pledged to do all they can to protect the safety of their staff, families and customers.
