Indications are that Ricardo Bully Thomas, who was fined $1 million and given a three-year suspended sentence in the Gun Court last week, was the recipient of an unofficial plea bargaining deal in which he co-operated with investigators in smashing a number of major arms smuggling and other criminal activities.

The light sentence handed down by Justice Martin Gayle after the accused was found with two 9mm pistols and 49 rounds of ammunition last October, triggered several caustic comments.  But police investigators told the Sunday Herald yesterday, that the gang leader provided useful information, which yielded significant results in crime fighting.  

Thomas, deported twice from Britain, was said to be linked to with the infamous British Link-up Crew and the murderous Bully gang based in c**kburn Pen, a tough, inner-city community in South West St. Andrew.

According to investigators, Thomas, who is a strong supporter of the opposition Peoples National Party (PNP), is said to be protected by some members of the police force.  Due to delays in getting results of tests from the forensic laboratory, two months after the guns which were seized from Thomas were sent for examination, investigators could neither deny nor confirm Sunday Herald reports that one of the guns was linked to several murders.

When asked by the Sunday Herald if he was a character witness in the case against Thomas, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Les Green, said this was not so.  ACP Green, however, stated that he gave evidence in court, along with another senior officer, whose name he declined to reveal.  It is understood that the evidence from ACP Green had a bearing on the sentence which was handed down to Thomas.

In response to a question about his knowledge of Thomas, ACP Green said according to his understanding, Thomas was one of the so-called area leaders of c**kburn Pen, who had considerable influence in the community.  He added that Thomas was believed to be involved in an ongoing dispute with certain elements within the area.

In terms of his direct dealings with Thomas, ACP Green said he was involved in Thomas arrangements to surrender himself to the police after he was placed on the nations top 10 most wanted list earlier this year.