United National Congress leader Kamala Persad-Bissessar last night raised fresh questions to People's National Movement forntliner Foster Cummings.
Speaking during last night's UNC weekly Monday meeting, she called on Cumming to answer questions on alleged fresh information, including about certain questionable Couva characters.
Citing the reported 2019 T&T Police Service Special Branch report into Cummings' activities, Persad-Bissessar repeated part of the Special Branch's allegation on two companies Cummings is allegedly linked with.
She said it’s alleged a man named in the report - allegedly the head of the Railway Road gang – was employed as a sub-contractor by both companies for several sites in Couva. She said it’s also alleged the person is a reputed drug dealer.
“Are these things true Foster? I call upon you to answer.”
She asked if it’s true the person allegedly runs a brisk cocaine, guns and ammunition trade and if allegations are true, the man is in charge of several gangs in Couva and Pt Lisas.
Persad-Bissessar asked if allegations are also true that some of that business is transacted through a (named) Couva club.
Another allegation is that the person is sent as enforcer to acquire state lands. She asked if this was true. She alleged that current land occupiers are given peppercorn rates to vacate lands and suffer thuggery and harassment if they refuse.
She called for answers on allegations that the man she referred to used a Local Government vehicle with blue lights to transport guns and ammunition to buyers.
"Is that true?" she asked.
She also asked if it was true about another man (initial B.S.) employed by the Couva corporation and who drives the Local Government vehicle and "delivers;" and about an another (named) alleged "sub-contractor."
Persad-Bissessar said it’s alleged no TTPS member in the Couva Police Station can also touch a certain high person at risk of being transferred and that raids on one gang aren’t successful, as they’re tipped off. She said it was unfathomable that given all the allegations, Cummings can still be holding his position without explanations.
She said the Prime Minister didn’t care that one of his ministers was under investigations. She said the PM had the Special Branch report on Cummings since 2019.
“Captain (Gary) Griffith said he gave the report to the Prime Minister… he had it - he can’t plead ignorance," she said.
“What did you do with it?... you promoted (Cummings) from Senator to make him an MP, elected by the people and a minister.
"Now (Prime Minister Keith) Rowley get ‘pip’ (can’t speak), we’re not hearing a word from him. So many crises in T&T and not a word from this man.”
Slamming Government for the crime rate and over 3,000 murders, she cited a 2012 statement Rowley made – that if the government cannot deal with crime then the government itself is part of the problem.
“You had seven years, so you and your ministers are part of the problem - you cannot solve it.”
