The Northern Ireland Security Minister, Mr Adam Ingram, has promised to crack down on organised crime after a report found that almost 80 gangs were operating in the North. Over half have paramilitary links.
Mr Ingram said yesterday the report "shone a light into the dark side of Northern Ireland and some of the criminal legacy of the Troubles". It would be a "long struggle" to get to grips with the "Mafia-like virus" infecting Northern society.
In its first report, the Organised Crime Task Force warned the development of a normal society in the North could be seriously jeopardised by the gangs.
The report states that 78 groups involving 400 members were identified by the RUC; 43 have current or historical links to republican or loyalist paramilitary organisations, most of which are on ceasefire. "Prolific criminals can be expected to generate tens of thousands of pounds a day."
The task force, set up last September, also outlined a co-ordinated strategy to crack down on the gangs, with particular emphasis on 20 senior criminals, and on activities such as racketeering, smuggling, fuel-laundering and drug-trafficking, 69 per cent of which is controlled by organised gangs.
The Assistant Chief Constable, Mr Raymond White, said police would be focusing on the "criminal legacy of terrorism" as organised crime had the potential to become endemic. While still locally controlled, many of the gangs had connections with Britain, the Republic, the Continent, the United States and beyond.
The SDLP MLA for North Belfast, Mr Alban Maginness, said the report made "shocking reading". Only a new police service, which had the allegiance of all communities, could tackle such organised operations.
The DUP MLA for the same area, Mr Nigel Dodds, described the report as an "appalling vista of criminality and gangsterism". North Belfast was the worst spot for extortion, intimidation and blackmail.