Fahie Trial: Court hears details of UK involvement months before arrests
Back in September 2022, a podcast by Tortoise Media, a UK media house entitled 'Paradise Bust: Scandal in the British Virgin Islands', has explored and sought to find answers on what British Government officials knew about the drug sting operation that led to the arrest of Fahie in Miami.
Not a joint UK/US operation - Ex-Governor Rankin
On April 28, 2022, then Governor Rankin in a press statement revealed he was informed that then Premier Fahie was arrested in Miami and said the UK Government informed him as Governor after they were informed by the UK.
While the then Governor never admitted to authorizing DEA operations and indicated that he was not aware of the sting operation, in a podcast by Tortoise Media, then Governor Rankin, “It was London who informed me because they had been informed by the US authorities that morning of the arrest of Premier Fahie.”
Mr Rankin added, “This was not a joint UK/US operation it was a US operation which led to the arrest of former Premier Fahie.”
However, on day four of the high-profile trial, a witness for the prosecution told a different story of the planning that led to the arrest of the then Premier and his alleged co-conspirators, then BVI Ports Authority Managing Director Ms Oleanvine Pickering-Maynard and son, Kadeem Maynard.
Key Witness shares new details
According to sources, one witness for the prosecution after questioning by Fahie’s attorney Theresa M. Van Vliet explained that the case first sparked DEA interest in August 2021 and discussions crossed the pond for UK involvement a month later in September.
Those discussions with persons at the UK’s National Crime Agency meant the UK knew of the sting operation almost at the beginning according to the witness.
The witness detailed UK involvement in the months after the first initial meetings and months before the arrest, including with the informant, “Roberto,” who collected hundreds of recorded conversations and text messages with Mr Fahie while they allegedly discussed million-dollar bribery payments for access to VI.
Was Fahie framed?
VINO reported on January 31, 2024, that the Miami Herald shared details of Fahie’s defense team counter-argument, that his words (phone records) will show he had no intention of using his power to enrich himself on cocaine shipments to the United States, without elaborating.
Before the details of UK involvement, one of Fahie's lawyers argued during an opening statement on Monday that Mr Fahie was “framed” by the United Kingdom. “He believed the U.K. government was involved in a scheme to frame him to remove him from office,” Attorney Joyce Delgado told the 12-person jury.
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66 Responses to “Fahie Trial: Court hears details of UK involvement months before arrests”
“Care to traffic some cocaine?”
The answer should be “no”.
Fahie said yes. Fahie should go to jail.
The governor office is a disgrace we must keep fighting
She’s not innocent, she should have been arrested too becuz she was the one coming down on the Charter Flight with the Illegal money for A. Fahie and her Bossom Buddy O. Maynard. Partners in Crime.
She probably scared to go to America right now.
Your side
The other side
And the truth
You will soon learn what this means Vino with your poor clinging on straws headlines
For one, they had to be involved in allowing the DEA to operate in the BVI, and conduct this sting operation successfully.
The reason I believe they got the DEA involved was simple. The U.K. knew that there was a high probability that even if Mr. Fahie was arrested and charged in the BVI, he may get off from a sympathetic jury, or even if convicted, that he will get very little time.
They also knew from prior extradition attempts with the Hodge case that they may face local court resistance in getting an extradition to the US where he would face more serious charges.
Therefore, they had to get him and his co-conspirators on U.S. soil to carry out more of the sting and make the arrest. Even if Mr. Fahie was really co-conspiring allegedly to import drugs in to the U.S. by allowing it to pass thru the BVI unimpeded, the inescapable fact remains that it appears he was indeed set up in a coordinated effort between the U.K. and the US.
The goal being to get him out of power, and put him in a situation where he can be locked away in prison for the longest time possible.
It's a terrible situation all the way around because they have him on audio and video speaking about this situation, and him going to Opa Locka airport is problematic as it shows intent. Nevertheless, if I was on the jury, with this revelation, I might hold out on a conviction if I feel that he was actually set up.
I believe he stands a chance of conviction, but there may a juror or 2 who may conclude the same as I see it that he was set up leading to a hung jury.
At any rate, there is no way the U.K was not involved. Their denials imo were just lies, and any thinking person or person who understands how these two countries work together (In this case ironically one can even say they conspired together) to take Fahie down.
We shall see how this shakes out, but let it be known especially to the crowed of people who are against independence for this country one day, the U.K, our former colonial master, is still up to it's old tricks. They are not your friends. They will smile in your face and turnaround and stab you in the back.
Now, let me be clear, I am not absolving Mr. Fahie for any wrongdoings. If he proven without a shadow of doubt that he was guilty as charged, then he has to face the consequences of his actions; however, in my book, two wrongs don't equal a right. If you go into a court with unclean hands with accusations, that should not be rewarded with a conviction imo.
It's not right to set some one up to take a fall, and it's not right to take the bait either. It's a blank up world. One needs to be careful who they speak to these days. You never know.
Golden rule: Keep your mouth shut! Silence is golden.
1/ Did he conspire / agree to import drugs to the BVI and willing to accept payments to do so??...."YES"
2/ Did he travel to the U S with the intent to commit a crime?? "YES".
For is not the first alleged drug dealer that a Sting operation brought Downey, all of them claim set UP, all of the fundamentalmente guilty and in Jail some of the are multi millionairres with the best lawyers and they are sitting in Jaio..
Sting operation is legal in América, the only defence is kidnsp and force against your will. This is not the case..
And agency with a 97% conviction rate. I think someone in that United States federal agency does not agree with the U.K’s plan. They set two traps, one to get customs top spot and control 2/3 law enforcement and the other was the leader of the BVI but I guess the other one didn’t take the bait and they still trying to set him up. we’re in the middle of a subtle take over by the U.K or a horrible case of abuse of power and white privilege.
Tip off by informer them ah watch you come out and come in| young brother fell for the cookies
don't need that in a conspiracy charge, You just need the evidence of agreement and the ability to execute the agreement and that is proven..
She knows well what she is doing, she’s trying to prove
ENTRAPMENT DEFENSE.
Maynard's credibility will be brought into question as well. She and her son initiated contact with the informants then brought , she made aside deal with them and she is fighting for her freedom.
Which brings me to my next point. His Lawyer brought into question the credibility of their expert Witness Roberto who in a previous case was deemed to lack credibility by a foreign Judge in Mexico. Check out how elusive and defensive Witek was on the stand when the defence attorney brought that up. The Judge had to interject and ask the jury to leave. BTW he is not testifying in the case I guess to protect his identity but it could be seen as a way to protect his credibility? Remember that audio and video evidence can be tampered with.
The big question is when Ms. Maynard takes the stand and how she will be able to withstand the pressure of scrutiny and cross examination. After all she and her son were the ones who they established contact with first before her boss Fahie was brought in to the picture. The question remains why was he even brought into the picture? They could have done this all by themselves after all she was head of Ports? Just to prove that they set up a side deal? Now guess what she and her son make deal and now stand to get a lighter sentence while her former Boss faces a lengthy sentence if convicted.
Why was RS allowed to walk free after all she was in the last meeting with Fahie and the DEA agent. Was she part of the entrapment?
Good defence attorneys plant seeds of doubt. It is a Federal case so Juror unanimity is crucial just takes one, only one.
Valid. 3 sides but you Can only see 2. Blk or white
Fahie is free to take the stand in his own defense. Think he will?
probably the biggest news story ever for the BVI and we have to get infomation third hand !
I believe that the bvi Beacon has someone at the trial anyway the Beacon carries in depth reporting of the trial eack day on their website.
its actually amazing that it turns out that in addition to doing the deal which included Faihe....maynard was trying to do a side deal with the " cartel" for herself and son and keep it it separate from the main deal.
talk about stab ur partners in the back. just shows how businesa is done in the BVI.
but lets just blame UK ( coz theres no one elae to blame) and be done with it
its alao interesting that in vino reporting that it says that " after 2 meetings the DEA decided that there was enough evidence to involve UK crime squad" or worda to that effect. so how can uk be the onea " framing" Andrew. they certainly coildnt tell him. so by following the law..how can theu be the onea who framed him...the DEA made all of the initial contacs with maynard and fahie and then decided thwy had enought to involve UK
I agree..if UK went to dea and said .." hey ia there any way yiu can approach faihe and set him up in a drug deal"..then hea being frames..( doeant remive the elephant in the room that he was a willing participant in a conspiricy to impoet tona of cocaine into the USA via BVI and abusing his position in government to do it.
Which raiaes the question..if he gets off thia trial will he be proaecuted here foe breach of trust and conapiring to use hia poaition for drug smuggling and money Laundering ??
THINGS AROUND HERE SO IT DOSEN'T MATTER AM IN CHARGE
The C***** wife should be sitting on trail as well, she had Knowledge of what her husband was involved in shady things but she chose to sit in the corner and play the stupid game while benefiting from the ………. Bet one thing, she will not be moving into the hideous ugly looking bunker style house…………..
You might as well broadcast them on the BBC.
So Rankin , who is a low level civil servant in British terms, would not be told.