Crime/Police
Oleanvine Maynard Plead Guilty To Conspiring To Import Cocaine Into The US
– Former British Virgin Islands Ports Authority Managing Director Faces Minimum Of 10 Years In Prison
– Fully Cooperating With Prosecutors
Former British Virgin Islands Ports Authority Managing Director Oleanvine Maynard today admitted in a Miami federal court that she conspired to import cocaine into the United States and has agreed to cooperate fully with prosecutors who are preparing for the drug trafficking and money laundering trial of her co-accused and ex-BVI Premier Andrew Fahie.
The 61-year-old, who filed a change-of-plea motion on May 30 after spending more than a year in federal custody, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to import cocaine on June 12.
Maynard, who faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in a federal prison, also agreed to “cooperate fully” with federal prosecutors.
The former senior government employee, along with the ex-BVI Finance Minister Fahie and her son Khadeem Maynard, were arrested by Drug Enforcement Administration Agents (DEA) on April 28, 2022.
They were charged with conspiring to import more than five kilos of cocaine into the United States and conspiring to launder $700,000.
The female Maynard and Fahie were detained at the Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport in Florida on April 28, 2022.
While thirty-two-year-old Kadeem Maynard was arrested in St Thomas, United States Virgin Islands, and later deported to the United States mainland.
After spending more than a year in federal custody he too has decided to change his plea to guilty. His change-of-plea hearing was also scheduled for today.
Meanwhile, Fahie, the ex-First Electoral District Representative and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party, is currently on one million dollars bail – $500,000 cash and $500,000 surety – lives in his daughters’ two-bedroom apartment in Florida and wears an ankle monitor.
He is preparing for the start of his trial in July.
The current drug trafficking and money laundering case against Fahie and the two Maynards started in mid October 2021 when a DEA informant met with a group claiming to have ties with the Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah and business connections in Florida.
The DEA affidavit stated that the informant posing as a member of the Mexican Sinaloa cartel met with Maynard and her son Kadeem in March 2022 on Tortola and St Thomas, United States Virgin Islands.
The discussion focused on using the territory’s ports to ship thousands of kilos of cocaine from Colombia to Miami and New York via Puerto Rico; each kilogram would be sold for between US$26,000 and US$38,000.
And for looking the other way, they would receive a percentage of the monies made from the sale of the narcotics. According to court documents, the ex-Ports Authority Managing Director explained the payouts will be hidden in shell companies and she would easily process the paperwork “so you can come into the territory for a couple days, and then move on.” While Fahie agreed to the arrangement for ten percent of the proceeds.
“You see my premier, he’s a little crook sometimes,” Maynard told the DEA confidential source, according to the affidavit.
Residents in the British Virgin Islands were shocked by the trio’s arrest in 2022 which made global headlines.
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has issued a warning to the public following a wave of blackmail scams targeting residents across the islands. Numerous individuals have reported receiving disturbing text messages demanding cryptocurrency payments, specifically in bitcoin, under threat of exposing allegedly compromising photos or sensitive information if they fail to comply.
RVIPF officials are advising residents to avoid responding or engaging with these messages. The police emphasize that scammers often exploit fear to pressure victims into payment, and any interaction can increase one’s vulnerability to further scams. Instead, recipients are encouraged to report these messages to the RVIPF for investigation and support.
“The RVIPF is actively investigating these cases to safeguard our communities,” said Detective Chief Inspector Kenrick Davis. “We urge residents to report any suspicious messages immediately and to avoid any communication with unknown or threatening contacts.”
To help reduce exposure to scams, the RVIPF advises the public to enhance their online privacy settings, particularly on social media, and to limit the sharing of personal information online.
If you receive or wish to report a blackmail attempt, please contact the RVIPF’s Intelligence Unit at 368-9339 for assistance and guidance.
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) is urging residents and business owners in East End, Tortola, to tighten security in light of a recent surge in burglaries plaguing the area. Over the past week, more than seven incidents have been reported, with hotspots including the neighborhoods of Greenland and Long Look.
The RVIPF is responding to this concerning trend by increasing patrols and advising the public to proactively secure their properties. Acting Commissioner Jacqueline Vanterpool emphasized the value of functional security systems, particularly CCTV cameras, as both deterrents and critical tools for investigators.
Protective Measures Suggested by RVIPF
To prevent further incidents and aid in investigations, the RVIPF recommends a series of crime prevention strategies:
- Install and Maintain CCTV Systems: Ensure cameras are positioned to cover entry points and remain operational.
- Lock All Entry Points: Secure doors and windows, especially at night or when properties are vacant.
- Utilize Exterior Lighting: Motion-activated lights can deter intruders by increasing visibility.
- Establish Neighborhood Watch Networks: Keep neighbors informed and report any suspicious activity to the RVIPF promptly.
“The safety of our communities is a priority,” said Acting Commissioner Vanterpool. “But we need the public’s partnership to address these crimes effectively. Functional CCTV systems, secure properties, and vigilant reporting can go a long way in deterring criminal activity.”
Additional patrols have been deployed in the Eastern districts, and detectives are actively investigating the recent burglaries. Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the RVIPF’s Intelligence Unit at 368-9339 or provide tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 800-8477 (TIPS).
An attempted armed robbery at Matcha’s Bar and Grill on Fort Hill was thwarted this afternoon when the proprietor successfully evaded an armed assailant. The incident occurred around 4:00 PM on November 4, when a masked individual, reportedly carrying a high-powered weapon, approached the popular establishment with apparent intentions to rob it.
According to initial reports, the gunman was unable to carry out the robbery and left the premises empty-handed. No shots were fired, and there are no reports of injuries to the proprietor or any patrons.
Police are currently conducting an investigation. The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has not yet released further details.
This story is developing, and additional information will be provided as it becomes available.
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