Former BVI premier imprisoned for 11 years for cocaine trafficking and money laundering

Former premier of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) Andrew Alturo Fahie has been sentenced to more than 11 years in prison after he was convicted of cocaine trafficking and money laundering.

US district judge Kathleen Williams sentenced Fahie to 135 months (11 years and two months) in federal prison after having been convicted at trial of cocaine trafficking and money laundering conspiracies for agreeing to facilitate the safe passage of tonnes of Colombian cocaine through BVI ports headed to Miami.

The court was told that in exchange for his assistance, Fahie would make millions, which would be funnelled through different businesses or smuggled back to the BVI to hide the money’s source.

Over the weekend, Fahie’s attorney, Richard Della Fera, submitted a collection of letters, including heartfelt testimonials from Fahie’s wife and daughters, portraying Fahie as a highly respected man in his community.

Fahie’s wife describes him as a “dedicated, loving husband and father” whose life’s goal was “to enrich the lives of those he served.”

His daughters echoed this portrayal, illustrating his dual role as a nurturing family man and a benevolent community leader who “uplifted those around him with unwavering integrity and kindness.”

Judge Rosalind Toulson also discussed Fahie’s significant contribution to young athletes in the BVI, helping them navigate the complexities of US college admissions.

She praised his “unwavering integrity, deep compassion, and tireless advocacy for educational opportunities.”

According to evidence introduced at trial, during March and April 2022, Fahie, 53, who served as premier from 2019 to 2022, as well as the managing director of the BVI Ports Authority, Oleanvine Pickering Maynard and her son, Kadeem Stephan Maynard, participated in a series of meetings with the purported Sinaloa Cartel drug trafficker to broker the arrangement.

Fahie and the BVI port executive agreed to secure licences, shield the cocaine-filled boats while in BVI’s ports, and grease the palms of BVI government officials and employees.

They discussed bringing 3,000 kilogrammes of cocaine through a BVI port as a test run, followed by 3,000 kilogrammes once or twice a month for four months.

Fahie and Maynard would get a percentage of the millions of dollars in cocaine sales.

In April 2022, Fahie and Maynard were arrested in Miami as they prepared to pick up a US$700,000 cash advance on their deal, while the other Maynard was arrested in St Thomas.

The mother and son previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import cocaine and were sentenced by Williams to 112 months and 57 months in prison respectively.