Crime/Police
Former BVI Premier Andrew Fahie Drug Trial Starts
Almost twenty-four months after his apprehension at Miami Airport in the United States, the cocaine smuggling and money laundering trial of former British Virgin Islands Premier Andrew Fahie started on Monday, January 29.
In April 2022, Fahie along with Oleanvine Pickering Maynard, the Managing Director of BVI Ports Authority, and her son, Kadeem Stephan Maynard, were arrested during a sting operation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
The trio was charged with conspiring to traffic cocaine and launder money by facilitating the secure passage of substantial quantities of Colombian cocaine through BVI ports destined for Miami.
The Maynard duo entered into an arrangement with federal authorities, pledging to provide testimony against Andrew Fahie.
In November 2023, Kadeem received a federal prison sentence of nearly five years for his involvement in a cocaine trafficking operation. Currently, his mother is in federal custody awaiting her sentencing day in court.
During the court proceedings on Monday, Fahie’s attorney Theresa Van Vliet filed a motion aimed at restricting prosecutors from introducing any evidence extracted from her client’s phone.
She contended that the material in question included personal health information about Fahie’s relatives, which she argued is irrelevant to the case.
Additionally, Van Vliet raised concerns about whether the Government of the British Virgin Islands had been consulted to address and resolve potential confidentiality or privacy issues related to the evidence.
The submitted evidence encompassed correspondence between Fahie and BVI Police Commissioner Mark Collins, as well as Fahie’s assistant and building contractor.
In December 2023, the prosecution submitted a comprehensive list of exhibits, encompassing recordings of phone conversations and meetings involving Fahie and the Maynards.
The prosecution plans to present data extracted from several of Fahie’s devices, such as a Note 10+ mobile phone and a Surface tablet.
Judge Kathleen Williams has not yet rendered a decision on the defence motion.
The prosecution’s case is that Fahie and the Maynards stood to gain millions, with the funds strategically routed through various businesses and bank accounts to obscure their origin.
The criminal complaint affidavit said they engaged in a sequence of meetings during March and April of 2022 with an alleged drug trafficker to finalise the illicit deal.
The affidavit contends that Fahie and Oleanvine Maynard were responsible for obtaining necessary licences, ensuring the concealment of cocaine-laden vessels within BVI ports, and discreetly influencing a potentially troublesome government official.
Discussions reportedly included plans to conduct a trial run involving 3,000 kilograms of cocaine through a BVI port, followed by subsequent shipments of similar quantities once or twice a month over four months.
The alleged compensation for Fahie and O. Maynard was tied to a percentage of the proceeds from the cocaine sales, totaling millions of dollars.
While the Maynards remained in federal custody, in May 2022, Fahie was granted $500,000 bail, a move contested by prosecutors who contended that his release posed a flight risk, coupled with the potential for engaging in illicit activities upon regaining freedom.
The terms of his bail dictated that the former premier remained in Miami, restricted to the leased residence of his two college-aged daughters.
Crime/Police
RVIPF Alerts Residents to Surge in Cryptocurrency Blackmail Scams
Crime/Police
Spike in East End Burglaries Prompts RVIPF to Urge Heightened Security
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).
Crime/Police
Attempted Armed Robbery at Matcha’s Bar and Grill Foiled on Fort Hill
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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