Crime/Police
Oleanvine Maynard Honours DEA Deal – What Awaits Her in Terms of Sentencing?
Oleanvine Maynard, former Managing Director of the British Virgin Islands Ports Authority, fulfilled her deal with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, providing compelling testimony to help secure the conviction of former Premier Andrew Fahie on charges related to drugs and money laundering.
The burning question on everyone’s mind is what will her sentence be now that the federal authorities have won their case against Fahie.
Maynard was the key witness in the prosecution’s case against Fahie, who faced charges of conspiring to import cocaine into the United States and conspiring to launder a substantial amount of money.
Over the course of two days – February 6 and 7 – the sixty-one-year-old testified for more than six hours, detailing the plan involving her son, Kadeem Maynard, and Fahie to exploit the territory as a transshipment port for a Mexican drug cartel.
Maynard, who was heard on secret recording stating she intended to use the proceeds to settle her mortgage in the British Virgin Islands, has been held in police custody for nearly two years. Her arrest took place on April 28, 2022 by DEA agents at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport.
On that particular day, Fahie, who concurrently held the position of leader within the Virgin Islands Party (VIP), was apprehended, causing astonishment amongst Virgin Islanders, including loyal party backers, and Caribbean leaders.
While the ex-Premier, under the scrutiny of an ankle monitor, resided with his daughters in a Florida apartment and collaborated with his legal team on his case, Maynard, along with her son Kadeem, who was arrested in St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands in April 2022, and later deported to the mainland, remained in federal custody.
And in November 2023, more than a year after their arrest, the two Maynards struck a deal with federal authorities to avoid a court trial and evade lengthy sentences.
Kadeem received a fifty-seven-month jail sentence for his involvement in the drug conspiracy. However, prosecutors repeatedly delayed his mother’s sentencing, moving it from November to early January, and subsequently to mid-January.
It became evident that the outcome of her agreement hinged significantly on her testimony against Fahie.
Prosecutors constructed a robust case, relying on evidence derived from covert meetings and encoded conversations and the testimony of a DEA agent. They presented secret recordings and revealed information extracted from Fahie’s phones.
According to the testimony of the DEA agent, the agreement involved transporting the drugs through the territory in exchange for Fahie receiving an initial payment of $500,000 in cash and a percentage of the profits from subsequent drug sales.
On the day of their apprehension, the pair was present at the Miami airport to examine Fahie’s $500,000 payment and an additional $200,000 for Maynard. The plan was for the cash to be flown to Tortola on a private jet.
Maynard’s testimony linked all the elements, extending from the initial encounter with the undercover agent posing as a drug cartel member and the receipt of bribes to the elaborate plans to traffic substantial amounts of cocaine through the territory.
In Fahie’s defence, he contended that he was being set up by the United Kingdom, asserting that he believed the undercover agent was a participant in a scheme to overthrow him. His lawyer argued that his intentions were to take action against the drug cartel.
On Thursday, February 8, the jurors deliberated for a mere four hours before arriving at their decision. Fahie was guilty. He was handcuffed and taken into custody until his sentencing date on April 29.
The story of Maynard’s transformation from government official to inmate to prosecution’s star witness has been extensively chronicled in various articles by the international media.
Her next court day is expected to be her sentencing hearing, where the question looms: will she, too, be handed a 57-month sentence, or receive a more lenient outcome for fulfilling her part of the deal?
While supporting aspects of the Police Amendment Bill 2024 that aim to enhance law enforcement capabilities, Hon. Sharie B. de Castro cautioned against provisions that could grant unchecked powers to the police. Her remarks came during the continuation of the First Sitting of the Second Session of the Fifth House of Assembly on January 8, as she called for reforms that balance stronger law enforcement with safeguarding human rights and addressing the root causes of crime.
“The police must walk with integrity. They cannot uphold the law while simultaneously disregarding it themselves. Everyone must play by the rules,” de Castro asserted, emphasizing the importance of accountability and trust in the justice system.
De Castro voiced concern about the erosion of public trust in law enforcement and its effect on community engagement. “How many in our community trust the system of policing?” she questioned. “How many see themselves becoming a part of that system or pursuing careers in law enforcement, the DPP’s office, or defense? The reality is, not many. That is a problem we must address.”
She advocated for reforms that empower law enforcement while ensuring officers operate within clear ethical boundaries and remain accountable for their actions.
De Castro urged her colleagues to closely scrutinize sections of the bill that might infringe upon fundamental rights. She stressed that public safety legislation must include safeguards to prevent abuse of power.
“We must ensure this legislation does not give individuals immunity to act without accountability. Such provisions would undermine public trust in the very system we are trying to strengthen,” she argued.
Connecting public safety with social development, de Castro highlighted the need for greater investment in infrastructure, education, and youth programs. She emphasized that sustainable reform requires a holistic approach that addresses the underlying causes of crime and provides young people with opportunities to thrive.
“Our schools must be environments that reinforce discipline and provide opportunities, not breeding grounds for negative influences,” she said, citing her ministry’s zero-tolerance approach to serious misbehavior as part of a broader effort to guide youth toward positive alternatives.
As the bill advanced to the Committee stage, de Castro expressed confidence in the ability of her fellow legislators to refine it. She urged collaboration to ensure the legislation achieves its objectives without compromising public trust or human rights.
“This bill is a step forward, but it must be one that balances the needs of law enforcement with the rights and trust of the people we serve,” de Castro concluded, reiterating her vision for a safer and more equitable territory.
A Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) officer has been charged following an internal investigation into a significant security breach that compromised a planned police operation in November 2024.
The RVIPF has assured the public that it will continue to act decisively against breaches of trust, reiterating its commitment to safeguarding the force’s integrity and ensuring the safety of the community.
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has confirmed the apprehension of Paul Jack, a national of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, during a coordinated operation conducted by Virgin Gorda detectives on Saturday, January 4.
The RVIPF also expressed appreciation for the continued support from the public in tackling crime in the territory. Residents are urged to stay alert, secure their properties, and report any suspicious activities to the police to assist in ongoing efforts to maintain safety.
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