politicians and top officials in the Ministry of National Security.

They accused them of betrayal and using those associated with the underworld, whether or not they have committed crimes, as political tools.

“Just listen to the politicians in Parliament talking about crime and you will know what I’m speaking of,” said an angry spokesman who gave his name as Frank.

“They have to give answers to the nation, and that’s why people like Barry, who know and command respect in the underworld, have to pay the price.”

He added: “Hear them boast of the arrest of the Gambino leader, as if locking up Barry would change the face of crime in TnT.”

But he noted that although Alphonse has been in jail since March 1, March recorded the most number of murders ever in one month in the history of TnT.

“It was the bloodiest month ever in TnT and Security Minister Martin Joseph himself admitted that in Parliament,” Frank added.

“Barry was nowhere around and they are still killing out one another.”

Alphonse was arrested and charged on March 1, with the illegal possession of 15 kilos of compressed marijuana, a .357 Magnum revolver, one AK 47 assault rifle, one pump action 12 gauge shotgun, 28 rounds of ammunition and five suits of army camouflage uniforms.

The arrest was made when police and army officers of the Inter Agency Task Force carried out a raid on Alphonse’s Laventille home and surroundings.

The 38-year-old father of 10 (different mothers) was granted $800,000 bail; it was subsequently revoked.

“Is only politics playing out here,” Frank remarked.

The 10 children of so-called Gambino gang
leader VICTOR “Barry” ALPHONSE.

Fig patch where arms and ammunition were
allegedly found.

Abandoned building where officers allegedly
found army camouflage uniform and
marijuana.

Officers claimed to have found more arms and
ammunition in this PVC pipe.

“The same people who are making sure he stays in jail are the same people he would help when they came to him.

“We are dealing with a lot of hypocrites.”

It was in the yard of Alphonse’s Dorata Street, Laventille National Housing Authority (NHA) Planning’s home that his 10 children, seven girls included, and several of his close associates spoke to TnT Mirror.

Frank, acting as spokesman, said the entire area was pained by recent events, which led to Alphonse’s arrest.

He denied that Alphonse was a deportee, as reported in the media.

“He returned home on his own,” Frank insisted.

“He visited New York to seek medical attention for his son who suffers with sickle cell.”

He added: “But what is sad about all this is that when Barry was helping police and soldiers fight crime they never call him a Gambino.

“All of a sudden he is one and we who are around him are labelled members of the Gambino gang.”

The men gathered agreed that the only Gambino gang they knew existed in New York.

Mirror was told that back in July 2004, when the Galil rifle went missing from Camp Ogden, soldiers remained confined to Barracks for several days.

“The soldiers came here begging for help because they knew Barry knows the underworld,” Frank revealed.

“He made a couple of calls and in two days time we traced the weapon.”

Mirror learnt it was discovered buried near a river in D’Abadie, East Trinidad.

The “Gambinos” recalled being treated like heroes when they were invited to a fete hosted by the army, to celebrate the retrieval of the deadly gun.

“We were packed into two army cars and driven from Laventille down to Camp Ogden with full military escort,” Frank revealed.

“When we arrived there we were treated like royalty and were honoured for our good deed.”

Frank continued: “We can’t forget that day.

“Senior army officials wined and dined us.

“They even fired off two shots from the same Galil in the air, in celebration.”

And he revealed that that was not the only form of assistance Alphonse gave to the military and the Protective Services to fight crime.

“In 1997, convicted murderer Dennis Chambers escaped prison and came up here to hide out,” Frank added.

“Barry caught him, tied him up and took him to the Besson Street Police Station.”

According to Frank, it was the same in 1995, when two police officers came “up the hill” to sell ammunition and members of the community immediately called in the cops for them.

“We called the police and the two officers (names called) were arrested and charged,” he added.

One of the officers has since been reinstated to duty.

“Barry is no saint, but just like Imam Abu Bakr, denying him bail will not change anything.

“The real criminals are still running free and the crime situation continues to get worse,” Frank ended.