Andrew Fahie: British Virgin Islands Prime Minister arrested for ‘related to drug trafficking and money laundering’ | World News

The prime minister of the British Virgin Islands has been arrested on “allegations related to drug trafficking and money laundering”, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said.

Andrew Fahie is incarcerated in Miami, Florida.

According to a statement from the governor of the British Virgin Islands, John Rankin, he was organized as part of an operation led by the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).

“I realize this will be shocking news for people in the territory and I would call for calm at this time,” Mr Rankin said.

Fahie was arrested at an airport after DEA agents posed as a cocaine trafficker from the Mexican Sinaloa cartel, the Miami Herald reported.

Ms Truss said she was “appalled by these serious allegations”.

She added in a statement: “This afternoon, the prime minister of the British Virgin Islands, Andrew Fahie, was arrested in the United States on charges of involvement in drug trafficking and money laundering.

“This arrest demonstrates the importance of the recently concluded Commission of Inquiry.

“I have spoken with the governor of the BVI and he will hold an emergency meeting of the territorial cabinet later today.

“He will set out next steps tomorrow, including the urgent release of the report of the investigation.”

The DEA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.