The Yahweh religious sect, whose leaders are under indictment on charges of murder and racketeering, is also under federal investigation for alleged financial crimes.

Federal agents have been probing the Temple of Love's financial affairs for months, looking for evidence of misuse of welfare payments by members and tax evasion by the sect's leader, Hulon Mitchell Jr., known as Yahweh Ben Yahweh.

Sources say the investigation also encompasses allegations by a former Yahweh member who said he saw drug dealers deliver bags of cash to Mitchell at the sect's Liberty City headquarters.

The sworn allegations by Robert Rozier, a star witness in the murder indictments, first came to light during a related civil trial last year. Rozier, who is serving a prison sentence for murder, testified that the temple itself didn't traffic in drugs.

But he said individual Yahweh members whom he described as "very well-known drug dealers" were involved in the trade with Mitchell's blessing. Mitchell offered the traffickers protection in return for large "donations, " Rozier said.

"He understood the type of business that they were in. . . . He also encouraged them to give tithes and donations in order to protect them from arrest, " Rozier said.

Mitchell's attorney, Alcee Hastings, angrily denied Rozier's drug allegations. He called Rozier "the government's principal liar."

"I know nothing of that, and there are no formal charges filed, " Hastings said. "My client is prepared to face any charges if formally filed. I believe Robert Rozier is, as usual, out in la-la land."

"It doesn't seem to me it has a hill of beans of truth to it, " Hastings said, referring to Rozier's testimony. "If the government knew about it and didn't include it in the indictments, they have acted thoroughly irresponsibly. It isn't charged because it isn't true.

"There is no evidence along the lines of overt drug dealings. And what do drug people need to pay religious people for protection for?"

Hastings said he would consider filing a libel lawsuit against The Miami Herald if it published an article mentioning Rozier's allegations.

"It's unfair. I don't think it ought to be a story, " Hastings said. "You're being had. It is a foolish story. If the government is your source, they are poisoning the well."

Rozier, who pleaded guilty to four murders committed while he was a Yahweh, has been cooperating with authorities under the federal witness-protection program. His statements to investigators, corroborated by other witnesses, helped lead to the indictments last month of Mitchell and 16 of his followers. They are accused of 14 murders.

A spokeswoman for U.S. Attorney Dexter Lehtinen declined to discuss the investigation into the sect's financial affairs.

"We will not comment on any aspect of the investigation that is continuing, " said spokeswoman Diane Cossin. "Further, we will not comment on any witnesses."

Rozier's allegations could harm the sect's carefully crafted anti-drug image.

The Yahwehs, who built a real estate empire by buying and renovating rundown apartment buildings and hotels, mostly in poor neighborhoods, earned plaudits from community and government leaders for running off drug dealers who operated near their properties.

The sources say investigators are trying to figure out where the Yahwehs got the money to finance their real-estate purchases and other operations.