– Prosecutors Seeking Life Sentence

Former British Virgin Islands Premier Andrew Fahie will learn his fate today, August 5, at his sentencing hearing in the United States, with Federal prosecutors seeking a life sentence from U.S. District Court Judge Kathleen Williams.

The 53-year-old, who is a father of two, was convicted in February on charges of cocaine trafficking and money laundering.

However, in June, Fahie’s lawyer requested a ten-year prison term for his client, minimising his involvement in the operation that led to his arrest.

Fahie, along with former BVI Ports Authority Director Oleanvine Maynard, 62, and her son Kadeem Maynard, 33, were arrested by U.S. law enforcement in April 2022.

The Maynards reached plea deals with the prosecution, with Oleanvine receiving a sentence of over nine years and Kadeem sentenced to nearly five years.

Oleanvine Maynard served as a key witness in Fahie’s case, linking the conspiracy to use the territory as a transshipment hub for narcotics into the U.S. Federal prosecutors argue that Fahie played a significant role in the operation as the head of the BVI.

The case has been a major embarrassment for the territory, with prosecutors naming several BVI officials who were allegedly involved in the scheme but who have not been charged.

Fahie’s arrest sent shockwaves through the territory, particularly among his supporters who closely followed the trial.

Fahie’s political career began in 1999 when he was elected as a House of Assembly member for the First District, a role he held until his arrest in 2022.

His tenure was marked by a focus on strengthening the economy through tourism and financial services, and he also emphasised youth involvement in national development.

On 30 November 2016, Fahie became the leader of the Virgin Islands Party, the oldest political party in the territory, after defeating incumbent Julian Fraser.

He was appointed Leader of the Opposition on 6 February 2017 and led his party to victory in the 2019 general election. Fahie assumed office as Premier on 7 February 2019, a milestone celebrated throughout the territory.

In November 2023, while on bail in the U.S. with travel restrictions imposed on him and his family, Fahie announced his retirement from politics. In his resignation letter, he requested that his retirement, effective 24 November 2022, be communicated to all relevant authorities, including members of the House of Assembly and the people of the Virgin Islands, particularly those from the First District.

He stated: “I humbly and respectfully request of you to please officially convey my retirement that comes into effect from 24 November 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.”

Since his retirement announcement in November 2023, Fahie has not issued any further public correspondence.

He is now set to serve his sentence in a federal prison.