This photo released by the Department of Information and Public Relations of the government of the British Virgin Islands on April 22, 2022 shows British Virgin Island Premier Andrew Alturo Fahie. Fahie and the director of the Caribbean territorys ports were scheduled to appear in federal court in Miami on Friday, April 29, 2022 after their arrest on drug smuggling charges in a sting set up by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. (Department of Information and Public Relations of the government of the British Virgin Islands via AP) (Uncredited)
MIAMI – The premier of the British Virgin Islands is demanding his immediate release from U.S. custody, arguing he is immune from prosecution on cocaine-smuggling charges because he is the elected, constitutional head of government of the British overseas territory.
Andrew Fahie was arrested last week during a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration sting as he was preparing to board a private jet in Miami.
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The shock arrest roiled the British Virgin Islands and seemed to bolster calls to suspend the constitution for two years in a bid to clean up local government.
Monday’s two-page filing from Fahie’s attorney didn’t provide details about her client’s immunity claim.
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