BVI News

‘I authorise DEA operations in the BVI’, Governor admits

Governor Rankin

Governor John Rankin has indicated that his office sanctions all operations that United States law enforcement agencies carry out on BVI soil.

Governor Rankin recently made that disclosure to the London-based news organisation, Tortoise Media, months after publicly denying that he was aware of investigations being carried out in the BVI by US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) officials prior to the arrest of former Premier Andrew Fahie.

In his interview with Tortoise last month, Rankin said: “I do give the authorisation for DEA operations here [in the BVI]”. He further indicated in the interview that he is aware of those operations generally. According to Tortoise, the Governor shared the audio clip containing that statement “inadvertently”.

 

Notwithstanding his admission, Governor Rankin had also reiterated what he said to the local media back in June – that he was unaware of the DEA’s operations as it relates Fahie.

“It was London who informed me because they had been informed by the US authorities that morning of the arrest of Premier Fahie,” Rankin said. “This was not a joint UK-US operation. It was US operation which led the arrest of former Premier Fahie.

In the meantime, Tortoise media — who shared its interview with Rankin via its podcast — explored three possibilities as it relates to the veracity of Rankin’s claims.

The first of those possibilities that the London-based media entity outlined was that the UK government (and by extension, the Governor) was blindsided by the US.

“This would mean that the Office of the Attorney General in Washington declined to inform an ally that the head of government was due to be arrested in a planned sting operation … Or, [His] Majesty’s Government wasn’t blindside and, at some level, acquiesced in the removal of a Premier it had reason to believe was corrupt,” Tortoise Media’s Giles Whittell posited in the aforementioned podcast.

According to a US-UK Bilateral Relations Fact Sheet published on the US Department of State’s official website, the United States has “no closer ally than the United Kingdom”.

The Department of State said the strong relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom reflects their common democratic ideals and values that are “reinforced through cooperation on political, security, and economic issues”. It added that the two countries “work closely together to combat terrorism, stop the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and ensure regional security”.

The third possibility Tortoise Media explored was that Governor Rankin wasn’t informed of the operation for his own safety.

“There are times that a governor might need plausibility deniability because of the risk of reprisals from the organised crime world and this could have been one of those times,” Whittell noted.

Former Premier Fahie is currently confined to a Miami apartment awaiting trial for charges related to drug and money laundering.

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58 Comments

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  1. Regime change says:

    Please don’t tell us that you were not aware of the DEA meetings on Tortola that were used to set up the former Premier prior to his arrest in Miami. You authorised them. But was the AG also told? I don’t think so. This was deliberate decapitation of the elected government.

    Like 15
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  2. Trevor says:

    Clearly the first possibility, the DEA does tell NO one of their runnings until they finish operations.
    Risk of leak is too great.
    But now that Fahie blow us open, the DEA want to look in our underwear drawer, why would Governor resist them when it’s now all about transparency?
    Let the chips fall..

    Like 72
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  3. part of the plot says:

    Cant really trust this guy

    Like 10
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  4. CNN says:

    This governor is a big fat ra**sm and lies lies lies

    Like 13
    Dislike 83
  5. Need to know says:

    basis is the MO of the DEA. These Feds have been in and out of the BVI for the last 30+ years. Only certain persons in the BVI who need to know KNOW!

    Like 61
    Dislike 2
  6. IM not surprised by this admission. says:

    My thoughts were at the time the former Premier was arrested in Miami that it was most likely due to a coordinated and cooperative effort between the US and UK to build the case against the former Premier and collect all that info the DEA obtained.

    There was IMO no way the former Premier would have been caught if there was not a coordinated effort between both countries.

    As part of that coordination getting the former Premier and his cohorts on American soil prior to making their arrest was all part of the plan.

    The US never forgot their failed attempt to extradite Mr. Hodge due to the local courts intervention. They did not want to make those arrest locally to avoid another extradition setback.

    IMO both governments work together to get all three defendants in US custody. They baited their trap, and all 3 accused swallowed the hook, line and sinker.

    The accused being greedy and callous didn’t see what was coming because they we were too caught up thinking about the money they thought they were going to make.

    IMO, it was an ingenious plot that bite fruit.

    Like 74
  7. Popeye says:

    It is only natural to cooperate to put an end to the drug business.

    Like 53
  8. @part of the plot says:

    Headline: Drug running nation complains about getting arrested..

    Like 43
  9. U HYPOCRITES says:

    STILL TRYING TO FIGHT IT / WHEN ALL THE SMALL FRY WAS GETTING CAUGHT OR KILLED ,ALYO MOUTHS WAS SHUT, BUT NOW THAT THE THE BIG FISH WAS CAUGHT RED HANDED IN WELL
    EXECUTED STING OPERATION , ALYO STILL ACTING LIKE ITS THE GOVERNOR’S FAULT , INSTEAD BOF BEING THANKFUL OF GETTING THE COUNTRY CLEAN OF DRUGS AND GUNS , YOU CRYING FOWL ( I THEY CATCH ALL THOSE INVOLVED

    Like 52
  10. Leave it at dat. says:

    Why are we quibbling, if he was not greedy & power hungry he would not be where he is now.

    Like 49
    Dislike 1
  11. LOL says:

    Some of you are more in outrage over the DEA than the criminal activities that attract the DEA’s attention. SMH

    Like 57
  12. Resident says:

    Only people involved in illegal activities would oppose US help in putting criminals in jail
    Many people in the BVI want to see the end of drug running it only benefits the kingpins
    Our youth is going to suffer in long run

    Like 40
  13. Supplement says:

    But yet you pretended that you were surprised and caught totally off guard about Andrew’s arrest. If you authorized the DEA’s operation they would have told you exactly why they were here and what it is they are doing.
    Your prevarication borders on dishonesty. You cannot be trusted. Yes, Andrew should not be involved in these things and what he gets he deserves but you Mr. Governor is di**onest.

    Like 5
    Dislike 23
  14. Streets says:

    Was the governor involved in framing Andrew Fahie?

    Like 5
    Dislike 40
  15. @ U HYPOCRITES says:

    EXACTLY – WELL SAID!

    Instead of us being thankful for getting rid of this scourge we scream racism, and colonialism and defend those that really have the foot on our heads!

    Head Coach lied, deceived, stole, and set about putting himself over a country that trusted him to lead us all while he fell to his knees praying to the Almighty – and now it is the DEA, the UK, and the Governor that are the bad people here for keeping quiet to help our country reform and improve.

    We are so two faced as a people!

    Like 59
  16. Hmmm says:

    Looks like the DEA is on the hunt in the BVI with information being provided by the “Head Coach”. He spilling his guts to shave some time off his sentence. Beware the rest of you drug lord politicians. You think you smart but the jails in the US are full of dem smart negroes.

    Like 21
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  17. Salty Fish says:

    Who cares? Why is this even news portrayed in a negative light? Personally, I am thankful!

    Like 29
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  18. Comment says:

    Never did trust him. No big surprise!

    Like 3
    Dislike 30
  19. Don’t be a complete hypocrite! says:

    You can add the UK as a drug running business as well.

    Like 3
    Dislike 16
  20. Wicked set ah people says:

    If this tape was never recovered you would not have admitted to it. You acted as though you were shocked at what happened when you had prior knowledge that Fahie was being investigated. This is why you withheld the report because you were waiting for the outcome of the DEA operations. I am sure that the DEA was providing you and the local police with updates on their progress. You wanted the arrest of Fahie to coincide with the release of the report to make the situation in the BVI government to appear worse than it actually is. You are very bad and w**ked people. I am in no way defending Fahie. If he does the crime he must do the time. But the UK are no angels. You are playing a game with the BVI people. We will find you out very soon. The l**s are coming out one by one.

    Like 6
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  21. Resident says:

    We seem to be getting really upset with the governor and the u.k. Who threw the country in thus mess? Put your anger in the right direction. L** your azz off gov. Get the others too!!

    Like 26
    Dislike 1
  22. @Trevor says:

    Legally, the US DEA CANNOT conduct any investigations in the British Virgin Islands without sign-off by the UK’s rep which is the Governor. Any information collected without such approval will not be accepted in a court of law.

    Like 16
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  23. Licher and Sticher says:

    I didn’t believe him the first time when he said that his office doesn’t communicate with DEA Re operations in the BVI. Anyone that believed him, I have a unicorn that plays the guitar and drums at the same time to sell you, just deposit the money on to my account first. The fact that he told the truth to the UK public and chose to l** to us is a bit worrying though.

    Like 8
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  24. Yes, but says:

    UK’s drug business is less than 1% of its GDP. BVIs 2500 kg bust represents about 45% of BVIs GDP. So, not on the same scale proportionally.

    Like 12
  25. judas says:

    Lies too doggone much

    Like 1
    Dislike 12
  26. @ lol says:

    You a racist

    Like 2
    Dislike 6
  27. ???? says:

    how u know tha

  28. JUAN PING says:

    Well there you have it!!! The Governor is a l**r and yes the people have to accept it and shut the h**l up because you can’t do anything about it.

    Now I will say this. Many of the unsolved murders, were police men who committed them.

    Time to let the cat out the bag Mr. Gov.

    RIP KENDOY PENN!

    Like 7
    Dislike 9
  29. 1st district original says:

    If we all take the saying” customer is ALWAYS right” them we can understand the governor’s claim. And he was right to say he did not know. The head coach was WRONG on all on ALL sides! He made us trusted him(JIM JONES)if it was not for the corporation of the govenor in the sting we might have ALL been slaughter like sheep! Let him stay over deh and suffer like punchoius pilot!

    Like 17
    Dislike 1
  30. hm says:

    Funny how we have become so hypocritical we readily accept fiction as fact.

    Its all well and good due to the end result hmmm? however

    The governor & those who hold his position who advocate for transparency is apparently in some hidden ways being dishonest to all of us…. All of us who are the electorate, the heart of the democratic system & society.

    If we are advocating for rules based order then we can not say let us accomplish our goal at any means necessary. That seems demonic.

    At some point that leads to disappearing people. Including disappearing politicians, journalist, ordinary citizens who voice their honest views…

    And TADA the end result is… you guessed it we end up totally screwed DEEP in a dictatorship that poses as a democracy.

    The end result can not justify getting there by any means in a ‘fair and free’ society. We dont support Satanism either. Its that simple.

    At the extreme level some believe utopia and paradise is a world without people, or with only one type of people.

    That is the rootstock of the belief systems that led to Nazism and the holocaust, and here we are cheering on its devolved form as the arm of justice, for now.

    VI landers believe strongly there is a right & wrong way to do things. Besides that the process is there to protect all of us from corruptible authority.

    Like 1
    Dislike 9
  31. TurtleDove says:

    What I don’t understand is why it was necessary to lie about this? Drugs and guns are killing us they should be investigated by whoever!

    Like 8
    Dislike 1
  32. hm says:

    Its pretty serious when you consider

    #1 authority is probably lying to us or them go figure.

    #2 If that is true and you review from this day going back in a new light it really stinks. Here WE THE PEOPLE are suffering because local politicians have gotten away with so much and the UK politicians apparently think its posh to pretend all is well, then when a defiant one like Andrew Fahie comes and spits in their face… its now OK to clean this place up when its convenient to their political games and not when we were begging them to do it!!!

    #3 see #1. we dont expect dishonesty from people who hold so much responsibility.

    There’s a difference between keeping silent to the people because of your responsibility… and telling our local media one thing, then going to the UK and spilling the beans to their media.

    If that’s what he did as per the article then its hard to be-lie-ve there is no bias towards locals, Freudian slip perhaps.

    right hand left hand. local UK. How much father ahead could we be if people learn to really cared in building up society before getting in these positions. Its rigged until there is harmony between local & Uk.

    You cant sit back watching the kids run amok then fly off to beat them without taking any responsibility when your friend comes over sees the mess and embarrasses you.

    keep it real. The old people would give them a ear full no sugar coating if they could. Two wrongs dont make a right.

    Like 1
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  33. Anonymous says:

    So he allegedly lies to the BVI public and media but give honest interviews with the UK media and he wonder why some people don’t trust the UK.

    Like 8
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  34. CNN has no brain says:

    CNN you sound very foolish today, do you think its worth it to expose any undertakings in connection to fraud, corruption, money laudering etc…i dont think so because BVI persons mouth like a flowing river and dont know when or how to stop flapping their mouths.

    Like 5
    Dislike 1
  35. Free our Diplomat #USA says:

    Just think the governor Mr slick after doing all this damage to the VI, unity government insisted on give the governor domestic affairs powers over the Virgin Islands!

    World economic forum and this governor has deep and dark plans for the VI! Since no one wants to stand up, everyone will be made subjugated!

    My people there is a war, stand together and fight neocolonial oppression!

    Like 2
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  36. Cay says:

    Race matters white supremacy at its best

    Like 3
    Dislike 5
  37. Ish says:

    A woman replace this guy in Bermuda, 123 Rankin must go.

    Like 4
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  38. End of the road says:

    Soon the Drugs will stop coming and I hope the government is ready to make new opportunity for youths and a bigger jail for all the robbery that will start just after that

  39. go where says:

    the governor should be given his belonger status and change the law so he run in the next General election. this man is a genius. the best governor ever to come to the bvi.mr governor it’s not a hand full of people on this small island that involve in drugs and gun running and people smuggling its thousands Mr governor. for the last 35 to 40 yrs the government squander the people’s money and if it wasn’t for these illegal activities the bvi would have already fall flat on its face. this is no joke its thousands of locals and expatriate involve in massive illegal activities in these Virgin Islands. every community you go to you can pin point many many houses and businesses that was built on illegal activities. and for your information Mr governor for which you may have already know this set of polical newbies that say they form unity government is a total waste of time .they only form the unity government to save their job and try and see if they can continue help their friends and family. the bvi is rotting from the inside out.look at the condition of this territory. infrastructure is the worst in the Eastern Caribbean. great work Mr governor certain investigation is not for the public and surely not for the media.

    Like 8
    Dislike 3
  40. Condoning evil says:

    So what if the Governor had a hand in framing him. Bad doing must be exposed . It is better to have our youths killed off what a ciuntry Condoning evil

    Like 5
    Dislike 3
  41. Truth says:

    Come on people, if you are planning a sting operation in the BVI, especially on a top-ranking government official knowing the BVI and how so many people are related and know each other and like to talk. Would you tell anybody local? I mean I wouldn’t even tell the AG. I don’t get a bunch of people complaining and the man is guilty. Am I the only one embarrassed that the country’s leader was arrested for criminal activity?

    Like 11
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  42. Crook too says:

    I guess you were benefitting from Fahie’s criminal ways? And are upset that he is now gone? Can’t think of any other reason why you would write this…

    Like 6
    Dislike 1
  43. Not if you're a crim! says:

    If you are a criminal yes I would be VERY WARY of this guy and not trust him! If you are principle and of good character you have nothing to worry about and can put trust in this Governor to clear out ALL the rotten apples!

    Like 7
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  44. Wigless piglet says:

    Did the BVI taxpayers foot his legal bill? Seems to have ample time on your hands to be commenting daily …

    Like 2
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  45. CIA says:

    He behaved and talked as if he knew more than persons who were much smarter. I noticed that attitude when he was a witness at the COI, and was lecturing two very brilliant lawyers. Reminded me of a Chihuahua barking at two Pit bulls.

    I could see why it was easy for the US DEA agents to get him to talk himself into jail.

    Like 8
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  46. CONSCIOUS ONE says:

    If my people who are called by name would humble themself and pray. Then I would hear from heaven and heal their land. With all thy getting….GET UNDERSTANDING. Who are you fooling having a form of godliness but denying THE POWER thereof. I see you praying for salvation in corrupted meditation but a tree is known by it’s fruit. There is no life in lies it’s all in THE TRUTH. ( Hint… read all Caps.)

  47. Local says:

    @popeye put an end to drug runners and the governor cant even get the westbank kinpin on a plane as yet .

  48. Rubber Duck says:

    Ot is very strange to me that none of the local media hascreprted on the fact that the DEA has Fahies telephone conversations going back to 2008 and earlie.

    Maybe it would make too many people very nervous.

  49. Trevor says:

    Your man was arrested in the USA, as were the Maynards.
    Why? Because they had plenty of evidence to do it there.
    Your point becomes irrelevant, the info gathered here is not needed to prosecute. But it certainly tells a story.
    The DEA alerted the UK after arrest, who then informed their man here. Why is that so hard to believe?
    Now the governor has given the DEA public permission to investigate here so the doors are wide open.

    We should collectively focus on repair instead of irrelevance

    Like 2
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  50. Reparations says:

    Ranking you should pack up and be gone. we need to march on this l**r who is not from here tomorrow.

  51. Rescue says:

    That is what folks like yourself was saying about his predecessor. Bite your tongue. The BVI is clothed in shame as a result because it was and is and continues n yes to be true.Either you are blind or deaf or don’t have the capacity to admit and feel shame..just like those who brought us to shame, Hence, more of the same will continue. Reality is that we are doomed.

  52. Wrath says:

    If a people who is called by … do good. God will heal the land .
    How can all of you so complicit in wrong doing . There is absolutely no excuse for what our Premier did regardless to who knew or did not know . There are operations that must be kept secret so that the mission can be accomplished. If this is how you all think , no wonder so many murders and crimes go unsolved . God wrath is coming down and we are still so blind , evil, and compromising with wrong . Shameful.
    That is why the UK shoukd take over . The Unity Government is not going anywhere . Look at our infrastructure, look at our schools , look at our health system . Then we busy blaming others . Wow

  53. Bank and God says:

    This man l**d bold face, who to trust ?

  54. My Vote says:

    His predecessor, Jaspert, has my vote. Cool as a cucumber. Subjected to much humiliation by the caught and caged Head Buffoon and the resident exorbitantly paid self appointed cleric of questionable character and intent.

  55. @Not of you crim says:

    You seem to have forgotten running away from the plantation used to be a crime… Careful all they have to do is say we are returning to those days and what would you all do about it… Some people dont question anything and would fit right in.

  56. Tired says:

    Why is this news….. please explain this to me. Don’t worry, you will have news soon.

  57. @Supplement says:

    Does it even matter? You guys are pathetic. No one forced the former premier to attend those meetings, NO ONE! He is a big guy, literally! He knew what he was doing. Give me a dam break.

  58. The Head Coach? says:

    So this was all the Governor’s fault!?
    You people are all delusional. The head of the BVI government was dealing coke…you don’t want to know about it?
    This may be the best thing that happened in the BVI since emancipation. We were headed down the wrong path. This change is needed.
    Do we want to forever have poor education, poor health care, bad roads, 3rd world electricity? These politicians stole that from us! Yes, they stole money, but they took away our potential.
    Thank you Governor. We needed a kick in the ass to get moved in the right direction.

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