The premier of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and the director of the Caribbean territory’s ports were arrested Thursday on drug smuggling charges in South Florida, federal authorities have revealed.
Andrew Alturo Fahie together with Managing Director Oleanvine Maynard were taken into custody by U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents at Miami-Opa-locka Executive Airport.
They are now facing charges of conspiracy to import cocaine and conspiracy to launder money.
According to reports, Maynard’s son, Kadeem Maynard, faces the same charges in the alleged scheme.
“Anyone involved with bringing dangerous drugs into the United States will be held accountable, no matter their position,” DEA Administrator Anne Milgram said in a statement. “Today is yet another example of DEA’s resolve to hold corrupt members of government responsible for using their positions of power to provide a safe haven for drug traffickers and money launderers in exchange for their own financial and political gain.”
British Virgin Islands Governor John Rankin, who is the territory’s de facto head of state, announced the arrest of Fahie in a press statement.
“It is my duty as Governor to inform you that this morning the Honourable Premier Fahie was detained in Miami on charges related to conspiracy to import a controlled substance and money laundering,” he said.
