DEA Administrator Anne Milgram has said that the arrests of British Virgin Islands Premier Andrew Fahie and Managing Director of BVI Ports Oleanvine Maynard, as well as Maynard’s son, should send a clear message that “anyone involved with bringing dangerous drugs into the United States will be held accountable, no matter their position.”
“Today is yet another example of DEA’s resolve to hold corrupt members of government responsible for using their positions of power to provide a safe haven for drug traffickers and money launderers in exchange for their own financial and political gain” an official statement read.
Andrew Fahie, premier of the British Virgin Islands, Maynard and her son were arrested on charges related to both drugs and financial crimes.
BVI Governor, His Excellency John James Rankin CMG, while appealing for calm, informed residents that the arrest was a US operation led by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
According to reports the arrests were made after DEA agents pretended to be cocaine traffickers from Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel – said to be the largest supplier of illegal drugs to the US market and formerly run by now-imprisoned drug lord Joaquín ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán.
The trio have been charged with conspiracy to import more than 5kg (11lb) of cocaine into the US and conspiring to commit money laundering, authorities said.