Liz Truss said she was appaled by the news
(Picture: PA Wire)Liz Truss has said she is “appalled” by the arrest of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) premier on charges linked to drug trafficking.
Premier, Andrew Fahie was arrested in the United States on charges relating to conspiracy to import a controlled substance and money laundering on Thursday by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).
Ms Truss will now meet with governor of the province, John Rankin to discuss the next steps.
Ms Truss said: "This afternoon, the Premier of the British Virgin Islands, Andrew Fahie, was arrested in the United States on charges related to drugs trafficking and money laundering.
“I am appalled by these serious allegations. This arrest demonstrates the importance of the recently concluded Commission of Inquiry.
“I have spoken to the Governor of the BVI and he will be holding an emergency meeting of the Territory’s Cabinet later today.
“He will set out next steps tomorrow, including urgent publication of the Inquiry’s report.”
The Miami Herald said Mr Fahie was arrested at an airport after DEA agents posed as cocaine traffickers from the Mexican Sinaloa cartel.
Mr Rankin said in his own statement: “As this concerns the arrest of a British citizen, the US Government has informed the UK Government of this arrest, as part of the usual process followed when a British citizen is arrested abroad.
“The UK Government has subsequently informed me as Governor. As this is a live US investigation I have no further information on the arrest nor can I comment any further on it.
“However, what I can confirm is that the arrest was a US operation led by the DEA and is not linked to the Commission of Inquiry report.”
He added: “I will have a call with Minister Milling and the Acting Premier Honourable Natalio Wheatley tomorrow to discuss further engagement between the UK and BVI on this urgent issue. I realise this will be shocking news for people in the Territory. And I would call for calm at this time.
“The Honourable Deputy Premier Natalio Wheatley will remain Acting Premier of the Territory. I will discuss with him and Cabinet the way forward in continuing to support the good governance of the Territory.”
