BVI News

Was Fahie really framed by the UK government?

Former Premier Andrew Fahie

Evidence in the drug and money laundering trial of former Premier Andrew Fahie shows that United Kingdom (UK) government officials in the BVI were long aware of an undercover investigation against him.

This is despite claims by former Governor John Rankin that he was unaware of a United States (US) Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) operation in the territory during his watch.

Days after Fahie’s arrest in April 2022, Rankin stated: “The arrest of former Premier Fahie came as much as a shock to me as it did to everyone else here in the BVI and I recognise indeed the shock it caused to so many people with whom I work and meet every day, but I did not have prior knowledge of that [investigation].“

UK knew all along 

During opening statements in the trial, Fahie’s attorney argued that the UK government plotted Fahie’s removal from office, but no evidence emerged of any cooperation between UK and US officials in the sting operation that led to his arrest until now.

DEA special agent Brian Witek, a witness in Fahie’s Miami trial, shared details of the collaboration between the two countries when questioned by Fahie’s defence attorney, Theresa Van Vliet. 

Witek told the court that DEA officials first discussed the case as early as August 2021, nearly a year before Fahie’s arrest and during the height of a government corruption inquiry in the BVI.

The Special Agent admitted that he and another investigator travelled to London in September 2021, where they had discussions with officials from the UK’s National Crime Agency, which deals with serious and organised crime. 

However, Witek downplayed the UK’s involvement in the investigation, describing it as more of a partnership role where the DEA led the investigation throughout.

Debriefing sessions followed months later between UK and US officials when an undercover confidential source operating under the alias Roberto Quintero first emerged as a key player in the case. 

No money or drugs handed over 

In the meantime, Fahie’s attorney was keen to stress in her cross-examination of one of the prosecution’s witnesses, that no real drugs or money had ever changed hands during the sting operation. 

This is despite an affidavit which claimed that the former Premier insisted that he would “touch the money”, referring to the promised $700,000 and a $20,000 good-faith gesture he allegedly pocketed to make the fictitious drug deal move forward.

She emphasised that the $700,000 that looked like neatly wrapped stacks of cash placed on a plane for Fahie, was also not real. Video played in court showed Fahie sitting with a box of the fake loot in his lap.

Prosecutors shot back by confirming with the witness that Fahie was free to leave at any time and was never dragged to the plane that carried the fake money. The witness testified that it was Fahie who requested that he and his daughter be picked up the morning of his arrest and taken to the cash jet.

 

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35 Comments

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  1. My two cents. says:

    Fahie had no call getting caught up in this. He could have avoided all this by being honest. However, we are coming to see that these U.K. people are not known for telling the truth. They lie a lot. My mother always said that a liar is worse than a thief. You could hide from a thief but not from a liar.

    Like 23
    Dislike 22
    • @My two cents says:

      Who lied? The Governor said he didn’t know about it which was true. The UK did not tell anyone on island for fear of word getting back to Fahie.

      In any case, even if the Governor did know and it was all set up by the UK, Fahie could have declined to meet with “the cartel”. Noone made him get involved in the scheme. As soon as the Maynards made him aware of the scheme, he should have reported it.

      Like 105
      Dislike 2
    • liars and thieves says:

      It’s hard to find success as a thief if you are not already a liar.

  2. UK/US Entrapment Plot says:

    Look past the ignorance of Fahie, glad he is exposed. The elephant in the room is that UK/US entrapped this man, no money (fake money, not considered money) and no transshipment, how is this even legal to convict based on ignorance (greed) but sending him to prison for the rest of his life is wicked plot by both governments. What is it about the BVI, would they conspire to trap this man and divide the self sufficient people of the BVI.

    Like 15
    Dislike 48
  3. Foxy says:

    No one seems to think about the fact is being tried before an American jury. He was conspiring to bring drugs into the US. How would BVI folks feel about someone bringing drugs into to hook their children into addiction? Think about it.

    Like 68
    Dislike 3
    • @Foxy says:

      How many time you tell a man growing up I going kill your mudda s**nt? Did you kill he?

      There is nothing to think about. The UK got caught in their own trap and were exposed. It goes to show how corrupt the UK is.

      Moses said let our people go. You don’t want to with your colonial supremacy? Well God will take you out.

      King Charles lll have a chance to make history before he departs this Earth with cancer.

      Free the people from colonialism of these Virgin Islands NOW!

      Like 5
      Dislike 22
  4. Main question asked says:

    Do you want to help us move large amounts of cocaine and get paid for it?

    Fahie said yes..

    Like 59
  5. No Sense says:

    Reported it to who? The same people who framing you? Two cents turn into no sense. LOL

    Like 11
    Dislike 6
  6. BREAKING NEWS says:

    The UK killed Carvin. Story developing!

    Like 10
    Dislike 31
    • Shimmy Shimmy Yah Shimmy Shimmy Yeah says:

      These petty story lines are a waste of time. Go read the US and our own AML Code and see why FAHEY is sitting in a Maimi Court

      Like 22
      Dislike 4
  7. lol says:

    His own greed set him up

    Like 42
    Dislike 1
  8. Over and under the hill he came says:

    FAHEY’s greed caught up with him. These sting operations catch ppl that have the capacity to carry out the crime and get to and cross over that line demonstrating intent. Because no drugs and money were involved doesn’t mean no crime was carried out. Read the AML Code and Regulations of the United States and then read our own. FAHEY may not get life but he will get serious jail time

    Like 24
    • Shimmy Shimmy Yah Shimmy Shimmy Yeah says:

      The real story is whether FAHEY in an attempt to lessen the years of imprisonment out of fear of sexual peonage and exploitation gives up some names

      • Smack Dabb says:

        I don’t agree with Ben Carson on many issues but I agree with his notion that prison makes a lot of straight men gay.

        Like 1
        Dislike 2
  9. Sarcastic Asian says:

    You can’t entrap an honest man

    Like 34
    Dislike 1
    • Actually you can !! says:

      Tell that to the countless people in prison being exonerated by advancement in DNA technology after spending 10-15 years. This narrative that that the US justice system is truly blind is only held by those who can afford it to be so.

      Like 6
      Dislike 11
  10. JJ says:

    A trap was set for him by the UK and USA government and he fill into it. He should not have got involved in that mess.

    Like 25
  11. Tom Brady says:

    Governor Gus was aware

    Like 3
    Dislike 1
  12. So What says:

    No matter who knew about it,Fahie on his own made and followed through his decision to and acc ording to his own words,it was not his firs ” “rodeo “.

    It would be ludicrous for the UK to inform a criminal suspect that he/she is under surveillance.

    Like 27
  13. I know for sure says:

    That he was set up.
    Elvis told me the other day in Riteway

    Like 6
    Dislike 5
  14. Sensationalism says:

    It is probably normal procedure to inform UK’s NCA when an investigation is taking place in their jurisdiction. Is this the best that Fahie’s defence can come up with, a DEA briefing with the UK NCA? Yeah it really looks like the UK set up this whole thing…

    Like 12
    Dislike 1
  15. El Demonio Negro says:

    You all lucky it wasn’t me in some these powerful drug man or politician position. I would’ve had a lot of people all different colors UNALIVED.

  16. @ says:

    This is the best clickbait story if there ever was one.

    The whole long and short is, if he was doing right by the people none of this would have happened. It is silly of him to think the Premiership would have protected him from the dutty deeds he aspired to do.

    You just can’t set up someone who is not willing to do the deed. Fahie was doing wrong and the powers that be just found a way to prove what kinda of person he is.

    Seem like when politicians use their power and influence for badness it is always someone else fault. so I wonder if he gets off if he going to come back home and have district one put him back in office.

    Like 19
  17. 20,000 says:

    He had no call. How did they know the trap would end up to him? If they started wit the lady son. Sounds like UK let him get away wit murder already and they was just sick. U had to be the main plug of course they gonna try to chop stuff off at the neck. The Wheatley boy better not even spit on a sidewalk. They lining everybody right up to see who bites. If the drugs still ain’t stop doubt the investigations did.

    Like 5
    Dislike 1
  18. smh says:

    Fahie issa Sk**t

  19. @SO WHAT ? says:

    ITS THE SAME THING AM SAYING , BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THE CANARY ON THE YELLO SITE IS TAKING OVER THIS SITE WITH HIS RACIALLY MOTIVATED RETHORIC , WHICH IS NOTHINH BUT LAME EXCUSES AFTER LAME EXCUSES JUST AD HE DOES ON HIS THRONE ON HIS YELLO EHERE HE KING / THIS NERD IS SINGING THE SAME SONG ON THIS SAME SITE THAT HE IS ALW CRITICIZING

  20. O brother says:

    AR WANDER WHO KILLED EARL

  21. Toddy says:

    Do we know what Fahie’s defense is? Is he putting on any witnesses? We heard earlier that he is not going to take the stand in his own defense. No issues with that. It’s his right.

    The thing is if he’s going to use the ‘entrapment defense’, then the burden of proof shifts to him.

    Or is he going to file a ‘no case ‘ submission after the Prosecution rest their case?

    Let’s see what eventually happens

  22. Targeted for Defeat says:

    Yes, it is believed by observant sources, that the gentleman was deliberately targeted for removal and discredited by the UK forces.

    The main reason was his strong advocacy for the relinquishing of Britian, UK hands off of our existence,political and personal lives, Sovereignty and well being.

    He like many today, know the history of the UK, Brits., and know what will be the consequences of their imperial take over.

    He saw the BVI as his home and belonging to his people..

    The UK did not like him nor anyone else who espouses such narratives.

    So they targeted him for defeat.

    Unfortunately, he fell for the trap bait, greed for money. That is the true reasonbehind his downfall.

    Like 3
    Dislike 4
    • Just make it simple man says:

      You make him sound like a twisted super hero. I’d rather keep it simple given his own words, he was sick of getting piddles acting as Premier and tried to get in the drug game as he always wanted to fulfil his dream of making it rich. Political life didn’t give him enough

  23. REALLY says:

    FFS, if the UK wanted Fahie gone, there are much easier and less expensive ways to do it! Stop the nonsense!

    Like 10
    Dislike 1
  24. ? says:

    Does anyone know what document the government signed with the US?

  25. WEW says:

    ” Not my first rodeo “

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