Published Thursday, 06 September 2012
PSNI are assisting the investigation. (© UTV)
The stash was found on Friday, 24 August by a walker with his dog in Parkhurst Forest near Newport.
Further tests are being conducted on the items, but PSNI have said they may have been there for several years.
A PSNI spokesperson said: "One line of inquiry is that they are linked to historical Northern Ireland-related terrorism."
The 395-hectare Forestry Commission-managed woodland is used for recreation and is a haven for wildlife. It is the second largest forest on the island.
A spokeswoman for the South East Counter Terrorism Unit added: "It is clear from the initial examination of these items that they have been there for several years. It is an essential part of the investigation to ascertain how long the items have been there.
"It is possible that the items are linked to historic Northern Ireland-related terrorism and for this reason the South East Counter Terrorism Unit is now leading the investigation with support from officers of the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Serious Crime Branch.
"Police would like to stress that there is no indication that the find relates to any current criminal activity."