TORTOLA:
Transportation, Works and Utilities Minister Kye M. Rymer has sought to distance himself from the allegations facing Premier Andrew Fahie, who was released on Wednesday on a US$500,000 bond by a United States court pending his trial on cocaine trafficking conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy charges.
The 51-year-old premier of the British Overseas Territory was arrested last Thursday during a sting operation at the Miami-Opa-Locka Executive Airport, along with the managing director of the BVI Ports Authority, Oleanvine Maynard, and her son Kadeem.
“While I respect due process and the presumption of innocence that is the right of all persons accused of wrongdoing, I do not condone the alleged actions of the premier, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie that have led to his arrest in the United States, and I distance myself from those allegations,” Rymer said in a statement.”
Rymer said as a Virgin Islander (VI), he takes pride in the rich heritage and the legacy of his fore-parents, who have endured many struggles to “ensure that our birthright to these islands remains in our hands and that we continue to build our society into the home that everyone can be proud of.”