Moruga/ Tableland MP Dr Lovell Francis has revealed that his life has been threatened by gangsters. The MP says he has been threatened by a gang who is extorting protection money from contractors and their workers.
Although he already revealed that a criminal gang had targeted the $176 million Moruga Road Rehabilitation Project, Francis told Guardian Media that the gang has now targeted the contractor for the bridge construction over the Moriquite River in Basse Terre. He said that apart from contractors paying gangsters, their employees are being taxed as well. He added that the gang also tries to determine who gets hired by the contractors.
Last week, Guardian Media reported exclusively that criminal gangs were being awarded million-dollar contracts by regional corporations. The matter was the subject of a report done by the Special Branch police unit.
Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith has gone on record to say that the award of contracts by the state to criminals has been fuelling crime.
Only last week, he said, a war over box drain resulted in a shooting incident between rival gangs.