The premier of the British Virgin Islands was arrested in Miami on Thursday on drug trafficking and money laundering charges.
Andrew Fahie, 51, is accused of agreeing to help a federal informant, who was posing as a cartel member, smuggle thousands of kilos of cocaine through the territory, according to federal court documents reported by NBC News.
British Virgin Islands Gov. John Rankin announced that Fahie was detained by members of the Drug Enforcement Administration and said the arrest was not related to an investigation led by the United Kingdom into corruption on the territory.
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“It is my duty as governor to inform you that this morning the Hon. Premier Fahie was detained in Miami on charges related to conspiracy to import a controlled substance and money laundering,” Rankin said. “I realize this will be shocking news for people in the territory. And I would call for calm at this time.”
The top port authority for the British Virgin Islands, Oleanvine Maynard, was also arrested on drug conspiracy and money laundering charges after allegedly accepting a $200,000 payment in the deal, per a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Fahie was detained at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport after boarding a private jet and examining bags that appeared to be filled with $700,000 in cash.
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Fahie was elected premier in 2019 but was prominent in party politics prior to his election. Maynard was appointed to her post in 2021. Both Fahie and Maynard are expected in court Friday afternoon. Deputy Premier Natalio Wheatley will remain acting premier of the territory, Rankin said.
Maynard’s son, Kadeem, was also arrested in connection to the alleged drug scheme, but he was not detained in Miami, according to the Miami Herald.
