Published Thursday, 17 December 2009
Operation Ballast, previously heading up by the Historical Enquiries Team, has already re-examined at least ten deaths blamed on the loyalist paramilitaries.
It is now set to be widened and taken over by detectives from the PSNI's Serious Crime Branch.
The PSNI confirmed the move in a statement which said: "The PSNI believes that Serious Crime Branch is now the most appropriate mechanism to continue this important piece of work."
While the police did not disclose the number of new cases to be investigated, security sources said files on at least 20 more would be opened.
The decision to hand responsibility to the PSNI could prove contentious as the original investigation was set up amid claims that the security forces colluded with UVF members over the killings.
And the move comes as Northern Ireland's political leaders continue to clash over the stalled devolution of policing powers to the region.
Operation Ballast was set up after a damning report by former Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan, who claimed the paramilitary killers were protected from prosecution because they were police agents.
Ms O'Loan examined the allegations on the back of a complaint by Belfast man Raymond McCord, whose son, Raymond McCord Junior, was murdered by the UVF in 1997.
Since HET took on the case files two years ago, its investigations have led to 20 people being either charged or reported to the Public Prosecution Service for a total of 23 offences including murder and attempted murder.
Among them is the alleged Mount Vernon gang leader and police informant Mark Haddock, who has been charged with two murders.
The police spokesman said the HET could now focus on the remainder of its case load.
"A timetable for the transfer has been agreed with the Historical Enquiries Team which will now be able to concentrate its efforts on helping to answer questions for families who lost loved ones during the Troubles," he said.