DEA Testimony Reveals Woman Released in Sting Operation is Roxane Sylvester

During the proceedings on February 1 in the drug-conspiracy trial of former premier Andrew Fahie, United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) special agent Brian Witek provided testimony that confirmed that the woman referred to in court proceedings as “R.S.” or “Roxane” was revealed to be Roxane Sylvester, the former deputy chairwoman of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) Ports Authority.

At the time of Mr. Fahie’s arrest, Ms. Sylvester, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, was in Miami as part of a Virgin Islands delegation attending the Seatrade Cruise Global 2022 cruise industry conference.

According to Witek, Ms. Sylvester participated in a meeting at the Embassy Suites hotel in Miami the day before the arrest, alongside Mr. Fahie, BVIPA Managing Director Oleanvine Maynard, and two DEA operatives posing as members of Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel.

The following day, she, along with Ms. Maynard, traveled with the undercover DEA operatives to the Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport. There, they briefly boarded a jet containing fake cash that Ms. Maynard allegedly believed was destined for Tortola. Both women were detained upon leaving the jet, but while Ms. Maynard faced charges, Ms. Sylvester was released without any accusations.

The prosecutor introduced evidence, including cell phones taken from Mr. Fahie and others, and questioned the witness about recordings made during the investigation.

Agent Witek stated that he was familiar with the voices of Ms. Sylvester, Mr. Fahie, the Maynards, undercover agent Jossue Dominguez, and a DEA confidential source known as ‘Roberto Quintero.’

All these voices were heard on secretly-captured recordings played during the trial, which has centered on two meetings at Miami’s Embassy Suites hotel on April 27, 2022.

The court also heard that Ms. Sylvester’s initials were included in a motion filed in January, where prosecutors sought to prevent the jury from hearing a statement allegedly made by Ms. Sylvester to Ms. Maynard after her arrest.

The statement purportedly indicated Mr. Fahie’s plans to intervene with VI officials and to have Mr. Quintero arrested upon landing in the VI. Prosecutors argued for its exclusion as hearsay, while the defense sought to address it during cross-examination.

Mr. Fahie, who maintains his innocence, is accused of allowing undercover DEA operatives to use VI waters for cocaine trafficking, allegedly in exchange for cash and a share of future drug proceeds.