Crime/Police
One Arrested as Police Seize Drugs and Weapon in Major Crackdown on Tortola Violence

In response to a series of violent incidents across Tortola, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) launched a sweeping operation on Friday, August 23, aimed at curbing public disorder and restoring a sense of security to the island’s residents.
The operation, described as intelligence-led, involved a coordinated effort of targeted stop-and-search checks, increased patrols, and strategic searches across various hotspots on the island.
The initiative resulted in the seizure of a significant quantity of controlled drugs, drug-dealing paraphernalia, and an offensive weapon. One adult male was arrested in connection with the seized items, and investigations are ongoing into other materials recovered during the operation.
Acting Commissioner of Police Jacqueline Vanterpool highlighted the importance of the operation in addressing the community’s growing concerns. “The recent incidents of indiscriminate gunfire and other forms of public disorder have understandably alarmed our residents,” said Vanterpool. “This operation was crucial not only in terms of enforcement but also in reassuring the public that we are committed to restoring and maintaining peace in our communities.”
Vanterpool further emphasised the RVIPF’s commitment to cracking down on criminal activities, noting, “The police are dedicated to investigating and apprehending those who continue to disregard the law and disrupt the safety of our communities.”
In her statement, the Acting Commissioner also called on the public to support law enforcement efforts by providing any information that could assist in tackling criminal activities. “We urge anyone with information to come forward. Your cooperation is vital to our continued success in these operations,” Vanterpool added.
The RVIPF has provided multiple avenues for confidential reporting, including the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-8477 (TIPS) and the RVIPF Intelligence Department at 284-368-9339, ensuring that all information will be handled with the utmost confidentiality.
Crime/Police
Why Is Oleanvine Maynard Set for Release on March 21?

Just over a year after pleading guilty in the high-profile drug trafficking case, Oleanvine Pickering Maynard, the former Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority, is set to walk free much earlier than expected. But why?
According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Maynard, 63, who is currently incarcerated at Baltimore RRM, is scheduled for release on March 21—a short cry from the nine-year sentence she received in June 2023 for her role in a DEA-led drug trafficking conspiracy. The abrupt reduction raises questions about what factors contributed to her early release.
Now, with Oleanvine Maynard’s sudden release date just days away, speculation grows over whether her cooperation with U.S. authorities played a larger role in the case than previously known. What did she reveal, and who else might be implicated? Neither the U.S. Department of Justice nor the BOP has publicly addressed the specifics of her shortened incarceration. However, it is common for federal inmates to receive sentence reductions for substantial assistance in ongoing investigations or for participating in rehabilitation programs.
Her son, Kadeem Stephan Maynard, 33, who was convicted alongside her, is also due for release soon—on April 6. He is currently being held at Miami FDC. Kadeem was sentenced to 57 months but will serve just over two years since his guilty plea in 2023.
Meanwhile, former BVI Premier Andrew Alturo Fahie, convicted in February 2024 on charges of conspiracy to import cocaine and money laundering, faces a much longer road. He remains incarcerated at Jesup FCI, with a release date currently set for May 30, 2033.
Maynard’s upcoming freedom is bound to spark debate in the BVI and beyond. As she prepares to return to society, the public is left with a lingering question. If she truly struck a deal, what information did she provide, and how deep does this case go?
Oleanvine Maynard, her son Kadeem Maynard, and former Premier Andrew Fahie were arrested in April 2022 in a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) sting operation in Miami, Florida. The case stemmed from an undercover investigation in which DEA agents, posing as members of the Mexican Sinaloa Cartel, approached the officials with an offer to traffic thousands of kilograms of cocaine through the British Virgin Islands to the U.S. mainland.
During the sting, Fahie and the Maynards allegedly agreed to facilitate the drug shipments in exchange for millions of dollars in bribes. Court documents revealed that Oleanvine Maynard was eager to play a key role in the operation, referring to the opportunity as her “blessing.”
The arrests exposed deep concerns about government corruption and drug trafficking links in the territory. In June 2023, Oleanvine Maynard pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import cocaine and money laundering, while her son Kadeem also pleaded guilty to drug charges.
Fahie, who initially maintained his innocence, was convicted in February 2024 after a trial in Miami federal court. He was sentenced to 11 years in prison.
Crime/Police
Four Arrested, Firearms and Ammunition Seized in BVI Police Operation
Officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) conducted targeted searches at two residences, in a pre-dawn operation on Tuesday, March 11, leading to the arrest of four individuals and the seizure of an AR-15 rifle, a 9mm Glock pistol, 52 rounds of ammunition, and 260 grams of cannabis. The arrests bring the total number of firearms recovered in 2025 to eight.
Following the operation, all four individuals were taken into custody for questioning, with subsequent investigations resulting in formal charges. Raheem Blyden, 32, of Crabbe Lot, has been charged with possession of a prohibited weapon, keeping an unlicensed firearm, three counts of possession of explosives, and possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply to another. Meanwhile, Shaika Jeffers, 31, Ayana Lennard, 29, and Chad George, 21, all of Sophie Bay, have each been charged with possession of a prohibited weapon and possession of explosives.
Acting Commissioner of Police Jacqueline Vanterpool underscored the urgency of addressing the proliferation of illegal firearms in the territory, stating that while the number of ammunition rounds recovered in just ten weeks reflects the dedication of RVIPF officers, it also highlights the alarming presence of illegal weapons. She urged citizens to recognize the gravity of the situation and support law enforcement efforts to combat gun violence and criminal activity.
“The reality should serve as a wake-up call to all law-abiding citizens. It is imperative that we unite in support of the RVIPF and other law enforcement agencies in their relentless efforts to combat gun violence and criminal activity. Only through collective action can we ensure that the BVI remains one of the safest places to live, work, and vacation,” Vanterpool stated.
The RVIPF reaffirmed its commitment to removing illegal firearms from communities and maintaining public safety. Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. Individuals with information can contact the RVIPF Intelligence Unit at 368-9339 or provide anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers at 800-8477 or, for overseas callers, at (284) 800-8477.
Crime/Police
Akeem Hopkinson Sentenced to 32 Years for 2021 Murder of Catherine Pickering

Akeem Hopkinson has been sentenced to 32 years in prison for the April 2021 murder of Catherine Pickering after being convicted on all four charges: murder, robbery, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and possession of a prohibited firearm.
At the High Court on Monday, Judge Rajiv Persad imposed the sentences following Hopkinson’s conviction. He was sentenced to 32 years for murder, 19 years for robbery, 17 years for possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and 7 years for possession of a prohibited firearm. The judge ruled that all sentences would run concurrently, meaning Hopkinson will serve a total of 32 years, including time already spent in custody. The sentencing came after a 10-member jury found Hopkinson guilty on February 25 following approximately three hours of deliberation.
The case stems from a deadly attack on April 18, 2021, in Paraquita Bay, where Catherine Pickering was fatally shot in the head and chest inside her home. The incident unfolded after her daughter, Maricel Pickering, was ambushed and robbed in the family’s driveway upon returning home from work. According to Maricel’s testimony, she had just exited her vehicle when she heard a voice demanding money. Gunshots rang out, prompting her to throw a bag of cash and run for cover. After the assailant fled on a motorcycle, she discovered her mother wounded inside the house. Catherine Pickering was later pronounced dead at Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital.
Hopkinson’s trial began in late January at the High Court, where he was represented by Phoenix Law. During the proceedings, prosecutors argued that Hopkinson played a central role in the robbery and shooting. Testimony from witnesses, including Maricel Pickering, detailed the events leading up to the attack and its aftermath.
Shemar Richardson, who had been employed at Big Brother’s Gas Station at the time of the robbery, pleaded guilty to his role in the crime and was sentenced separately. He received a term of five years and nine months, factoring in time served, with the possibility of parole after three years, provided he undergoes counseling. During the trial, Richardson admitted to providing information that facilitated the robbery, which ultimately led to the murder of Catherine Pickering.
Hopkinson had initially been charged alongside 28-year-old Shameek Grant. However, Grant was acquitted after the court upheld a no-case submission, ruling that the prosecution’s evidence was insufficient to support a conviction.
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