This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7864365.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Dissidents accused of 'drugs tax' Dissidents accused of 'drugs tax'
(about 8 hours later)
Dissident republicans are charging drug dealers a "license fee" to operate in nationalist areas, Sinn Féin has claimed. Dissident republicans are charging drug dealers a "licence fee" to operate in nationalist areas, Sinn Féin has claimed.
Dissident republicans have said they oppose drug dealing but they stand accused of charging dealers a "tax".Dissident republicans have said they oppose drug dealing but they stand accused of charging dealers a "tax".
Senior republican sources say criminal gangs in north and west Belfast who call themselves dissidents are extorting tens of thousands of pounds.Senior republican sources say criminal gangs in north and west Belfast who call themselves dissidents are extorting tens of thousands of pounds.
It is claimed dealers are increasing the amount of drugs to pay the "tax".It is claimed dealers are increasing the amount of drugs to pay the "tax".
One criminal in north Belfast was forced to help the Continuity IRA import 120kgs of drugs from Spain. He was then made to pay a tax of £90,000 to the organisation, republican sources have said.One criminal in north Belfast was forced to help the Continuity IRA import 120kgs of drugs from Spain. He was then made to pay a tax of £90,000 to the organisation, republican sources have said.
At a briefing in west Belfast at the weekend, they told journalists that people living in the affected areas were being encouraged to co-operate with the police.At a briefing in west Belfast at the weekend, they told journalists that people living in the affected areas were being encouraged to co-operate with the police.