Former Premier of BVI Andrew Fahie faces life imprisonment due to drug charges

Andrew Fahie, the former Premier of the British Virgin Islands, has been found guilty of drug trafficking and racketeering in the late hours of Thursday. A twelve-member jury was responsible for delivering the guilty verdict following eight days of trial procedures.

The jury has found Fahie to be guilty of interstate and foreign travel in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to engage in money laundering, attempted money laundering and conspiracy to import a controlled substance.

The sentencing has been scheduled for the 29th of April, 2024, and Andrew Fahie could be given life imprisonment, considering the seriousness of the charges.

The jury deliberated for four hours on the case filed by United States prosecutors before handing out a unanimous decision against Fahie. During the opening arguments, the prosecutors stated that it was an open and shut case, as there was very little doubt of Fahie’s culpability.

Evidence against Fahie came from an informant of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), who came in contact with Oleanvine and Kadeem Maynard, Fahie’s co-conspirators. Oleanvine Maynard was the former head of ports for the British Virgin Islands who conspired along with her son Kadeem Maynard and Fahie.

The three made plans to bribe authorities in the British Virgin Islands, as a means of facilitating the free transit of vessels filled with cocaine along the Tortola coastline, on the way to US Ports.

The racket was planned in a manner which ensured that Fahie would receive a share of each cocaine shipment, both for personal profit and to secure the support of important public officials.

It was also revealed in court that Fahie and Oleanvine Maynard were in Maimi to receive what they believed to be a cash shipment worth US$700,000, which allegedly was to be divided between them onboard a private jet at the Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport.

Police officers posing as cartel members arrested Fahie and the Maynards in April 2022. While Fahie pleaded not guilty, the Maynards pleaded guilty and offered information for reduced sentences.

Oleanvine Maynard’s sentence is to come following her testimony against Fahie, while her son has been sentenced to five years already. Oleanvine Maynard’s testimony was a crucial part of the prosecution’s case and explained how she brought the scheme to Fahie, who became a willing participant.

She also revealed that she negotiated directly with the DEA informant, establishing an agreement which stipulated that they would receive a 12% share from each shipment and an additional US$20,000 as a “gift”. Oleanvine Maynard herself received an amount of US$10,000.

Oleanvine Maynard’s sentencing has been scheduled for the 22nd of February. Although Fahie maintains his innocence, he has no recourse in this matter and no hope of leniency as a full jury trial renders him ineligible for such an appeal. The money laundering counts against them alone are quite serious, as each charge carries the possibility of a 20-year sentence, while the racketeering charge would add another five years to the mix.

Additionally, the charge of trafficking cocaine carries a life sentence and a fine of up to US$10 million.

On Thursday,, Fahie was taken into custody from his daughter’s apartment in Miami, where he had been residing, after being granted bail.