The Dutch justice minister and his deputy resigned on Monday after acknowledging they misled Parliament about a deal worth millions of dollars that prosecutors had struck with a well-known drug trafficker 15 years ago, Reuters reported.

Minister Ivo Opstelten and State Secretary Fred Teeven had told lawmakers that the drug lord, Cees Helman, had been paid far less than the almost $2.6 million he pocketed, and that all records of the transaction had been lost. Both assertions were discovered to be untrue.

Teeven, then a prosecutor, had authorized the tax-free payment after authorities were unable to show that money they confiscated had been illegally obtained. The funds were returned to Helman via accounts in nearby Luxembourg, Agence France-Presse noted.

Lawmakers questioned Opstelten about the arrangement last year after reports had emerged in Dutch media. At the time, the minister said no evidence of the agreement existed.

The resignation of the two leaders of the Justice Ministry, both of whom belong to Prime Minister Mark Rutte's VVD political party, comes just days before the March 18 provincial elections, on which the stability of the ruling coalition may well hinge.

"There has been uncertainty over this matter for too long," Opstelten said. "This information could have been found earlier. I take full responsibility for this, and have just now offered my resignation to the king."

As of now, his ministry no longer doubts the transaction with the drug trafficker took place, Opstelten explained, according to DutchNews.nl.

"The investigation failed to find bank statements or other documents, but I indeed have digital proof that the (money) was transferred to (Helman)," he said. "I have to find that the information was indeed available and could have been released earlier."

Although Teeven admitted his credibility had been damaged by the situation, he said, "There was nothing wrong with the deal." Rutte, meanwhile, said he had no choice but to respect Opstelten and Teeven's decision to step down.

"The cabinet is losing two driven professionals," the prime minister said.