Crime/Police
World Awaits Andrew Fahie’s Sentencing as Maynard Begins Nine-Year Prison Term
With former British Virgin Islands Ports Authority Managing Director Oleanvine Pickering Maynard now serving a nine-year prison term for her role in a significant cocaine trafficking operation within her homeland, global attention has turned to the upcoming sentencing of former Premier Andrew Fahie on August 5.
In a final attempt to mitigate his sentence, Andrew Fahie, formerly the leader of the Virgin Islands Party, who was found guilty on February 8 of charges linked to cocaine smuggling and money laundering, has since petitioned a Miami Federal court to reduce his potential sentence.
Facing the possibility of life behind bars and a $10 million fine, the fifty-three-year-old has requested a maximum sentence of 10 years, arguing that his role in the scheme was peripheral, claiming ignorance of a side agreement between Maynard and an undercover agent posing as a cartel member, and asserting that he was not directly involved in the actual importation of cocaine.
Maynard played a key role as a witness in her former boss’s trial, providing intricate details of the drug operation to the jury.
Alongside her son Kadeem Maynard and Fahie, she was arrested in April 2022 after planning to smuggle shipments of up to 3,000 kilograms of cocaine through Tortola’s port.
As part of a plea deal, she agreed to testify against Fahie, resulting in her guilty plea for conspiring to import over five kilograms of cocaine.
Charges of money laundering and racketeering were dropped against her in exchange for her cooperation.
At her sentencing, U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams also added an additional five years of supervised release.
Her son Kadeem received a fifty-seven-month sentence in November 2023.
The sentencing of Fahie is eagerly awaited, with proceedings scheduled for August 5.
Following his arrest in 2022, the disgraced politician was initially granted bail but has been in federal custody since his conviction.
His apprehension sent shockwaves through the territory, particularly among his supporters who closely followed the trial.
Fahie’s political career, documented extensively, began when he was first elected as House of Assembly member for the First District from 1999 until his arrest in 2022.
His policy emphasis was on cultivating a robust economy through tourism and financial services, while also prioritising the inclusion of young people at all levels of national development.
He later assumed leadership of the Virgin Islands Party, the oldest political party in the territory, on November 30, 2016, following a leadership contest victory over incumbent Julian Fraser.
The career politician subsequently became Leader of the Opposition on February 6, 2017, and led his party to victory in the 2019 British Virgin Islands general election, taking office as Premier the following day, February 7, 2019.
The ascent of the golden boy to the top of the political hierarchy was celebrated throughout the territory.
In November 2023, he retired from politics while on bail in the United States with restrictions to travel for him and his family.
“I humbly and respectfully request of you to please officially convey my retirement that comes into effect from November 24, 2022, to all the requisite authorities especially to all members of the House of Assembly, as well as to the people of the Virgin Islands – especially my beloved people of the First District on the floor of the House of Assembly via this letter, among other means you may deem appropriate.”
“My deepest appreciation and love I express to all. May God forever bless our Virgin Islands and the people of the Virgin Islands as our best days are yet ahead.”
Fahie still retains supporters in his homeland, particularly in the First District, who express their backing and send him well-wishes through online messages.
The wait will soon come to an end as he returns to federal court in a week’s time, not to stand trial before a jury but to hear the judge’s sentencing.
Police are urgently searching for the driver involved in a dramatic hit-and-run collision that left a female pedestrian injured after she was struck and flung into the air along the Dual Carriage Highway Thursday night.
According to the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), the incident occurred shortly after 8:00 p.m. on February 19, 2026, in the vicinity of Delta Gas Station in Pasea Estate.
Preliminary reports indicate that the woman was crossing the eastbound lane of the roadway when she was struck by a vehicle traveling west to east. Although the driver reportedly attempted to brake, the vehicle was unable to avoid impact. The force of the collision sent the pedestrian airborne before she crashed onto the roadway.
In a troubling development, the vehicle did not stop. Instead, the driver fled the scene immediately after the collision, leaving the injured woman lying on the highway.
Emergency Medical Services responded swiftly and transported the victim to Dr. Orlando Smith Hospital for treatment. Her condition remains unknown at this time.
The RVIPF has launched an active investigation into the hit-and-run and is appealing to members of the public who may have witnessed the incident or have information that could help identify the vehicle or driver involved.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the RVIPF Intelligence Unit at 368-9339 or provide anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers at 800-8477 (TIPS).
Police say further updates will be provided as the investigation continues.
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, working alongside other law enforcement partners, intercepted a vessel and recovered a quantity of illegal narcotics during a joint operation last night, December 8, police said.
In a brief statement, the RVIPF confirmed that the operation resulted in the seizure of the drugs but did not disclose the type or quantity recovered. Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing and described it as dynamic, noting that additional information will be released as it becomes available.
Premier Hon. Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley criticised Governor Daniel Pruce’s appointment of Richard Ulger as interim acting police commissioner, saying the decision sidestepped the established process and failed to respect the advice of the Police Service Commission.
Speaking during a press conference on Friday, Nov. 21, Wheatley said the Police Service Commission had already submitted a recommendation for a substantive Police Commissioner and that this recommendation is expected to come before the National Security Council soon. The Governor’s decision, he argued, pre-empted that process and created unnecessary tension around a critical public-security appointment.
“In my view, it would have been better to conclude that process before appointing an interim acting commissioner,” Wheatley said. “The Police Service Commission has made a recommendation, and that recommendation should have been allowed to proceed.”
The Premier also noted that Acting Commissioner Jacqueline Vanterpool was returned to her substantive post of Deputy Commissioner after serving as Commissioner for one year. While acknowledging that Governor Pruce acted within his constitutional authority, Wheatley expressed concern about how the authority was used.
“Though the Governor is within his constitutional rights, I am concerned that the way his discretion has been exercised is not in keeping with the modern partnership that the United Kingdom has committed to,” he said. “The process has been poorly handled and does not reflect transparency, good governance, or sensitivity to the legitimate concerns of the people of the Virgin Islands.”
The decision follows a week of public demonstrations, during which residents peacefully protested what they viewed as political overreach. Wheatley said he and his colleagues in the House of Assembly supported the public’s right to assemble. “Persons exercised their democratic right to assemble and peacefully protest,” he said. “We respected and supported that right.”
Wheatley said he raised his concerns directly with Steven Doughty, the United Kingdom Minister for the Overseas Territories, during a call on Wednesday. He added that he has also been in ongoing dialogue with Governor Bruce through Cabinet and the National Security Council.
The Premier linked the controversy to a broader constitutional conversation in the Territory. “The handling of this matter underscores the importance of negotiating a constitution that provides greater democratic accountability to the people of the Virgin Islands,” he said. “This includes devolving more responsibility to the elected government, including responsibility for internal security.”
Wheatley is scheduled to depart the Territory on Friday for the Joint Ministerial Council meetings in London, which he will co-chair in his capacity as President of the Political Council of UK Overseas Territories. The JMC, hosted by Minister Doughty at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, is the highest-level annual forum for dialogue between Overseas Territory leaders and His Majesty’s Government.
This year’s meeting, he said, “forms part of a broader reset in the relationship between the United Kingdom and the Overseas Territories.” The UK Government is expected to introduce a proposed Charter on Engagement, outlining new principles for transparency, communication, and collaboration. Leaders will also discuss bilateral compacts, long-term frameworks designed to strengthen planning and clarify shared priorities between the UK and participating territories.
Throughout the week, Overseas Territory leaders are scheduled to take part in plenary sessions, technical workshops, and political engagements covering security, development, governance, and economic planning. As Chair of the UK Overseas Territories Association, the Virgin Islands will play a central role in shaping collective positions.
Wheatley said he intends to continue voicing the concerns of Virgin Islanders at every level of discussion. “I will continue to engage in respectful dialogue with the Minister for the Overseas Territories and the Governor as we remain steadfast in defense of the security of the people of the Virgin Islands and their democratic rights,” he said.
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