The Premier of the British Virgin Islands has been arrested in Miami for allegedly conspiring to import cocaine into the United States and money laundering.
Andrew Fahie, 51, was arrested at a Miami airport along with the managing director of the British overseas territory's Ports Authority, according to court documents.
In court documents, US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) said Mr Fahie had agreed to allow the informant, who was posing as a member of Mexico's Sinaloa drug cartel, to use the British Virgin Islands' (BVI) ports to ship cocaine in return for a payment of $US500,000 ($700,000).
It is alleged the informant said they wanted to move thousands of kilograms of Colombian cocaine through Tortola island and eventually to Puerto Rico for export to New York and Miami.
Mr Fahie, BVI ports Managing Director Oleanvine Maynard and her son, Kadeem Maynard, were at these meetings, according to the documents.
The British Virgin Islands Premier also requested help in paying down an $US83,000 debt to a man in Senegal who had "fixed" some political issues for him, the documents said.
The meetings allegedly date back to October 2021.
The arrest of Mr Fahie was first disclosed by British Virgin Islands Governor John Rankin.
"I realise this will be shocking news for people in the Territory," Mr Rankin said.
Mr Fahie and officials from the British Virgin Islands Ports Authority could not immediately be reached for comment by Reuters.
DEA administrator Anne Milgram said the arrests send a clear message that "anyone involved with bringing dangerous drugs into the United States will be held accountable, no matter their position".
British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said in a statement she was "appalled" by the allegations.
Ms Truss said the arrest demonstrated the importance of a recently concluded Commission of Inquiry into allegations of political corruption and abuse on the islands.
The commission's report has not yet been published.
Deputy Premier Natalio Wheatley will remain acting premier indefinitely.
The Premier's office did not immediately respond to requests for more information.
Reuters/ABC
