An operation looking into the involvement of an alleged British state agent known as Stakeknife in murder, kidnap and torture has cost over £37m since it was launched.
Operation Kenova is the independent investigation being led by former Bedfordshire chief constable Jon Boutcher into a range of activities by an alleged individual.
West Belfast man Freddie Scappaticci was alleged to have been the Army's top mole in the Provisional IRA, but had denied this until his death at 70 years old this year.
Read more: Prosecutors continue to consider Stakeknife files for other suspects
Stakeknife worked in the IRA's notorious "nutting squad", interrogating suspected informers during the Troubles.
A Freedom of Information request to the PSNI, has found that since its commencement, Operation Kenova has cost £37,686,701, as of Feburary 28, 2023.
The probe is examining crimes such as murder and torture linked to Stakeknife and the role played by the security services, including MI5.
The investigation continues and is set to issue an interim report this year.
The PPS said in April, a significant number of files submitted by Operation Kenova concerning the alleged criminality of Stakeknife and a large number of other suspects remain under active consideration.
It described the suspects as including alleged paramilitaries, former police officers and former members of the intelligence and security forces, saying the files concern a range of potential offences including murder, false imprisonment, serious assaults and misconduct in public office.
A PSNI spokesperson said: "Operation Kenova was established in 2016 by the Police Service of Northern Ireland to investigate the activities of an alleged British Army agent known as ‘Stakeknife’.
"Bedfordshire Police were contracted by the Police Service of Northern Ireland to provide an external investigation into these matters with a remit including a requirement to establish whether there is evidence of the commission of criminal offences by the alleged agent known as Stakeknife, including but not limited to, murders, attempted murders or unlawful imprisonments.
"Operation Kenova’s investigative remit was subsequently widened to encompass a number of additional incidents; the death of Jean Smith-Campbell, the deaths of three RUC constables at the Kinnego Embankment in 1982 and a review of a number of incidents linked to the ‘Glennane’ group of cases.
"The investigations carried out by Operation Kenova have been complex, sensitive and extensive. The Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland is regularly updated as to the progress of the investigation but does not seek to direct or control, or in any way influence the investigation.
"The independence of Operation Kenova from the Police Service of Northern Ireland has been critical in providing communities and victims with trust and confidence in the investigative activity undertaken by the contracted resource and its conclusions and assessments.
"Whilst Operation Kenova retains investigative independence from the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland remains accountable to the Northern Ireland Policing Board for its activities.
"The Police Service of Northern Ireland has also remained responsible for the financial support to all elements of the Operation Kenova investigation. Whilst continuing to support the investigative independence of Operation Kenova, the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland has retained the right to keep all financial costs under review and to agree reasonable financial parameters for the discharge of the investigation."
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