Prosecutors accuse Fahie of greed, corruption as trial gets underway

Prosecutors painted a vivid picture of greed, arrogance, and corruption when the trial of former Premier Andrew Fahie began this week.

Fahie appeared in a Miami federal court where he was accused of allegedly conspiring to allow massive cocaine shipments through the BVI for personal gain.

He is charged with with several counts of drug smuggling, money laundering and racketeering and he faces possible life imprisonment if convicted on the charges brought against him by the United States government.

In their opening statements, prosecutors said the case against Fahie unfolded with the help of a confidential informant, known as “Roberto,” who posed as a trafficker for the Mexican Sinaloa cartel.

Through hundreds of recorded conversations and text messages, Roberto and Fahie allegedly discussed bribery payments for access to the territory, “all so the defendant could stuff his own pockets with bribe money,” prosecutor Sean McLaughlin told jurors, emphasising the alleged motive of financial enrichment at the expense of legal and ethical conduct.

However, Fahie’s defence team countered the allegations, arguing that Fahie had no real intention of facilitating cocaine shipments. His attorney, Joyce Delgado, argued that Fahie was actually “framed” by the United Kingdom officials instead, in an effort to remove him from office.

This narrative appeared confusing since the sting operation was directed by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), not the British government, even though it coincided with a UK-led Commission of Inquiry into Fahie’s administration at the time.

Fahie’s ultimate downfall came after he was arrested during a purported visit to Miami for a cruise convention in April 2022. The former Premier, along with former BVI Ports Authority Director Oleanvine Pickering Maynard, were lured to Miami-Opa-locka Executive Airport under the pretence of receiving a $700,000 cash payment.

Both were subsequently arrested and charged with multiple offences related to drug trafficking and money laundering. Maynard’s son, Kadeem Stephan Maynard, was also implicated and has since been sentenced to 57 months in prison after pleading guilty to related charges.

Fahie’s trial is expected to feature evidence from Pickering Maynard — the prosecution’s star witness — as well as several US federal agents.

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