The trial of former Premier Andrew Fahie continues and a recent testimony by a key witness has unveiled the United Kingdom’s knowledge of the operation which led to Fahie’s arrest in April 2022.
According to reports from the ongoing trial, a cross-examination on day four of proceedings revealed that the United Kingdom was aware of the sting operation several months prior to Fahie’s arrest.
Fahie’s defence attorney Theresa Van Vliet referenced the early stages of the undercover sting operation that led to the prosecution of Fahie and his alleged co-conspirators, former BVI Ports Authority Managing Director Oleanvine Maynard and her son, Kadeem Maynard.
Testifying was Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent Brian Witek, who unveiled the United Kingdom’s behind-the-scenes involvement in the sting operation.
His testimony contradicted a previous statement made by the former Governor of the Virgin Islands John Rankin, who maintained that he was “as surprised as anyone else” when Fahie was arrested on April 28, 2022.
The DEA agent’s testimony showed that the UK government was not only aware of the sting operation some seven months prior to the arrest, but that discussions were also held between DEA agents and representatives of the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency on numerous occasions.
Responding to questions posed by Van Vliet, Witek explained that the operation was first discussed by the DEA in August 2021 and discussions with representatives of the UK’s National Crime Agency took place shortly after that date.
Witek confirmed visiting London in September 2021 to meet in person about the operation and subsequently followed up with UK officials via telephone calls in November 2021. Three months later according to Witek’s testimony, UK law enforcers met with DEA agents at a debriefing session which included the key person in the case who goes by the alias Roberto Quintero.
Fahie’s legal team’s argument is that the former premier believed he was being framed by the UK Government and during her cross-examination, Van Vliet sought to demonstrate that no money or drugs were exchanged with her client as part of the alleged agreement that would have resulted in Fahie receiving $500,000 in cash for the passage of 3,000 kilograms of cocaine through the territory’s waters.