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.
Richard Barronville and Khalid Smith have been charged with possession of a prohibited weapon and unlawful possession of explosives following a routine inspection of a vessel in the Frenchman’s Cay area on Thursday by the Virgin Islands Law Enforcement Marine Base Joint Task Force.
A statement from the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) indicated that the two men—Barronville, 32, of Long Bush, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, and Smith, 24, from the United States—are expected to appear before the Magistrates’ Court at the next available sitting.
They were arrested on November 14 shortly after 11 a.m. by members of the Joint Task Force, which included officers from the RVIPF and His Majesty’s Customs.
A firearm and ammunition were discovered in the possession of the duo, who were subsequently taken to the Road Town Police Station.
The RVIPF urges anyone with information regarding individuals in possession of illegal firearms to contact Crime Stoppers confidentially at 800-8477 (TIPS) or overseas at (284) 800-8477, or the RVIPF Intelligence Unit at 368-9339.
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) is seeking assistance from the public in locating K’Shawn Martin, 18, who is wanted for questioning in connection with a recent shooting incident. Martin, described as 5’9” with a slim build, dark skin, and black hair, is being linked to the attempted murder of K’zhari Stoutt, which took place on Friday, November 8, 2024, on Sand Box Road.
Authorities report that Martin, last known to reside in the Sand Box Road area, may be armed and is considered dangerous. The RVIPF warns the public not to approach Martin if seen and instead urges anyone with information to come forward.
In addition to the search for Martin, police are also requesting information regarding the whereabouts of another individual, Shemoi Carey, who is also sought by the RVIPF’s Criminal Investigation Department. Tips can be directed to RVIPF’s CID at 368-5323. All information will be treated with strict confidentiality.
A shooting incident in close proximity to the Elmore Stoutt High School in the Long Bush area of Road Town has left one man seriously injured and prompted an immediate lockdown at the school.
According to the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), the injured man was transported to Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment. His condition remains unknown at this time. Details about the suspected assailant or potential motives are still unclear.
The incident, which took place on Pickering Avenue shortly before 1 p.m. today, November 8, led the school administration to enact the lockdown as a precautionary measure to safeguard students and staff. Shortly afterward, parents received official communication from the school, reassuring them that the lockdown had been lifted and that students were safe.
“We understand that such news can be concerning, but please rest assured that all necessary measures were taken to ensure everyone’s safety,” the school stated. “The school day is continuing as normal, and students are safe and secure.”
Authorities have encouraged anyone with information about the incident to come forward. Parents and guardians with questions are also encouraged to reach out directly to the school for further updates on student safety. Further details will be shared as they become available.
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