Local News
Federal Judge Grapples with Verdict Doubts in BVI Premier’s Cocaine Smuggling Case
The case of former British Virgin Islands premier Andrew Fahie has taken a perplexing turn, leaving U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams grappling with unresolved doubts raised by jurors regarding their guilty verdicts nearly two weeks ago. Fahie, currently detained in Miami following his conviction for cocaine smuggling, awaits a resolution as the judge seeks a legal path forward.
The saga began on February 8th when a Miami jury found Fahie guilty on charges of conspiring to import cocaine into the United States from the British Virgin Islands, alongside three related counts of money laundering and racketeering. However, moments after the verdict, two jurors reached out to express apparent misgivings, sparking an uncommon post-trial dispute.
Judge Williams, presiding over the case, finds herself in uncharted legal territory, as both federal prosecutors and defense attorneys present conflicting views on how to address the jurors’ concerns. While prosecutors argue against revisiting the verdicts, citing a lack of evidence of misconduct or coercion, defense attorneys advocate for polling the jurors again to ensure a just resolution.
Despite the complexity of the situation, Judge Williams remains resolute in her pursuit of a fair outcome, urging both sides to collaborate in finding a viable solution. However, she warns against any contact with the jurors involved, highlighting a prior interaction between one juror and a defense attorney as cause for concern.
As the legal wrangling continues, Fahie, the ex-premier of the British Virgin Islands, awaits his fate, facing the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence.
His sentencing is scheduled for April 29th, leaving ample time for the court to navigate the intricate maze of legal challenges surrounding his conviction.
The case against Fahie hinges on allegations of corruption and collusion with drug cartels, with prosecutors painting a damning picture of his involvement in a cocaine smuggling scheme. With the stakes high and the legal landscape uncertain, the fate of the former premier hangs in the balance as the courtroom drama unfolds.
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has confirmed that Tarik Aaron was arrested shortly before midnight on Friday, April 17, on extradition orders issued by authorities in the United States Virgin Islands, and has since appeared before the Magistrate’s Court.
According to police, the arrest was carried out in connection with a request from USVI authorities, though further details have not been disclosed.
Aaron appeared before the Magistrate’s Court today and was denied bail.
Further updates are expected as more information becomes available.
The Civil Registry and Passport Office has announced an increase in fees for United Kingdom passports, effective April 8, 2026.
According to the office, the revised fees apply to new, renewal and replacement passport applications, as well as other related services.
Under the new structure, the cost for a new, renewal or replacement adult passport has been set at £116.50, while the fee for a child passport is £75.50. Adult frequent traveller passports will cost £130.50, and child frequent traveller passports £89.50.
The fee for changes to an existing passport will also be £116.50. In addition, a delivery fee of £14.32 will apply.
The Civil Registry and Passport Office advised that the updated fees are now in effect and apply to all relevant applications submitted on or after April 8.
A bill proposing wide-ranging changes to the Virgin Islands’ electoral system was introduced in the House of Assembly today, Tuesday, April 22, by Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley.
The proposed Elections (Amendment) Act, 2026, is based on consultations with stakeholders and recommendations from observer missions, as well as input from the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections.
“This is the Elections Amendment Act 2026, following extensive deliberations with a number of entities, including a committee of the House who looked at recommendations of various observer missions that came to The Virgin Islands,” Hon. Wheatley said during the continuation of the Second Sitting of the Third Session of the Fifth House of Assembly.
He said the bill also builds on work undertaken by the previous House of Assembly. “Also, the last House of Assembly looked at a number of recommendations that were forwarded through the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections,” he said.
Hon. Wheatley said the proposed amendments were developed through discussions on changes to the Elections Act. “We had very extensive discussions about amendments to the Elections Act, and of course, those recommendations were used to make this Amendment Act. This received its first reading some time ago, and now we are here to debate this Elections Act, so that it can therefore become law,” he said.
The bill introduces several reforms to the electoral framework, including expanded access to voting through mobile and curbside options for individuals with physical limitations and the formal use of assistive technologies for voters with disabilities.
It also provides for the establishment of a Department of Elections and an Elections Advisory Committee to oversee voter registration and election administration.
Additional provisions include a formal Code of Conduct for political parties and candidates, along with new rules governing campaign donations and political financing.
The legislation also proposes restrictions on the announcement of major public grants or projects shortly before an election, aimed at addressing potential incumbency advantages.
The bill has already received its first reading and is expected to be referred to a committee when the House of Assembly resumes on April 30, 2026, at 10 a.m., where it will undergo further review as part of the legislative process.
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