A former premier of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) premier who American prosecutors say had unsuccessfully tried to show the idyllic tourism islands right into a cocaine smuggling hub for the Mexican Sinaloa cartel was this week sentenced to 11 years in jail by a Miami court docket on worldwide conspiracy expenses.
Andrew Fahie confirmed no outward emotion as District Court docket Choose Kathleen Williams imposed the sentence on him however he spoke briefly along with his spouse and two daughters earlier than being led away in jail garb by court docket officers.
His 135-month sentence got here two years and three months after he was nabbed in Florida throughout a sting operation by federal officers.
Fahie and BVI Port Director Oleanvine Maynard had been in Miami for a cruise ship conference however prosecutors say they have been additionally there to verify on a $700,000 cost from cartel members that was headed to them for his or her half in permitting huge cocaine shipments to transit via BVI ports.
Lured by the feds to the Opa Locka Airport to verify on the money, the 2 have been arrested and charged. Maynard’s son, Kadeem was additionally in on the enterprise. He’s serving a five-year sentence, his mother doing 9 years.
“He took the British Virgin Islands and bought it to the Sinaloa cartel,” prosecutor Kevin Gerarde mentioned in open court docket through the shut of the case as he pressed for a more durable sentence. “What’s clear is that Mr. Fahie misplaced his approach and acquired concerned on this scheme,” mentioned Choose Williams.
His arrest and subsequent incarceration had made headlines by residence as particulars of the scheme had emerged. He was rapidly changed as premier of the British colony by Natalio D. Wheatley who continues to function premier and who received basic elections in his personal proper in April of final 12 months.
Elaborating on the case, Legal professional Gerade mentioned that Fahie “took the BVI and bought it to the Sinaloa cartel,” whereas Choose Williams famous that he had tried to “tip the British Virgin Islands from a famend vacationer vacation spot to a haven for narcotrafficking. It’s a violation of belief. It violates public security. It’s the final betrayal.”
When a authorities official makes use of their place to personally revenue, the choose added, “It’s a violation of belief; it violates public security. It’s the final betrayal,” she mentioned, accepting that Fahie had helped inmates and others “in turning into docs, legal professionals, receiving MBAs, and basically discovering their strategy to a greater life.”
Preventing again towards the costs, his lead legal professional Richard Fera mentioned the sting operation had produced no medicine by any means. “This cocaine by no means existed. It was by no means a query whether or not it was moved or by no means moved. It by no means existed. We’re coping with a fantasy constructed by a confidential supply.”
