MIAMI, United States (CMC) — Former premier of the British Virgin Islands (BVI), Andrew Alturo Fahie has been sentenced to more than 11 years in jail after he was convicted of cocaine trafficking and money laundering.

Fahie was sentenced to 135 months (11 years and two months) in Federal prison by US District Judge Kathleen M Williams, after having been convicted at trial of cocaine trafficking and money laundering conspiracies for agreeing to facilitate the safe passage of tons of Colombian cocaine through BVI ports headed to Miami.

The court was told that in exchange for his assistance Fahie would make millions, which would be funnelled through different businesses or smuggled back to the BVI, to hide the money’s source.

Over the weekend Fahie’s attorney, Richard Della Fera, submitted a collection of letters, including heartfelt testimonials from Fahie’s wife and daughters, portraying Fahie as a highly respected man in his community.

Fahie’s wife described him as a “dedicated, loving husband and father” whose life’s goal was “to enrich the lives of those he served”. His daughters echoed this portrayal, illustrating his dual role as a nurturing family man and a benevolent community leader who “uplifted those around him with unwavering integrity and kindness”.

Judge Rosalind Toulson discussed Fahie’s significant contribution to young athletes in the BVI, helping them navigate the complexities of US college admissions. She praised his “unwavering integrity, deep compassion, and tireless advocacy for educational opportunities”.

According to evidence introduced at the trial, during March and April 2022 Fahie, 53, who served as premier from 2019 to 2022 as well as managing director of BVI Ports Authority; Oleanvine Pickering Maynard and her son, Kadeem Stephan Maynard, participated in a series of meetings with the purported Sinaloa Cartel drug trafficker to broker the arrangement.

Fahie and the BVI port executive agreed to secure licences, shield the cocaine-filled boats while in BVI’s ports, and grease the palms of BVI government officials and employees. They discussed bringing 3,000 kilograms of cocaine through a BVI port as a test run, followed by 3,000 kilograms once or twice a month for four months. Fahie and Maynard would get a percentage of the millions of dollars in cocaine sales.

In April 2022 Fahie and Maynard were arrested in Miami as they prepared to pick up a US$700,000 cash advance on their deal, while the other Maynard was arrested in St Thomas.

The mother and son previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import cocaine and were sentenced by Judge Williams to 112 months and 57 months in prison, respectively.