The United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida Wednesday ruled that Andrew Fahie, premier of the British Virgin Islands, will not face pre-trial detention while awaiting proceedings on charges that he conspired to launder money and traffic drugs into the United States. Judge Alicia Otazo Reyes agreed with Fahie’s attorney that Fahie will not flee due to his extreme ties to the United States, specifically his two daughters.

Fahie was arrested by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) at a Miami airport along with the managing director of the British Island’s Ports Authority, Oleanvine Maynard. According to the DEA, Fahie, Maynard, and Maynard’s son are cartel members planning to move thousands of kilograms of Colombian cocaine through Tortola, the largest of the British Virgin Islands, and eventually to the United States. 

Judge Otazo Reyes set bail at $500,000 and said Fahie will remain in monitored confinement in the apartment where his daughters live. “I do believe that … the terms that I have imposed will ensure his appearance,” Judge Otazo Reyes said after arriving at her decision.

US prosecutor Frederic Shadley said he plans to appeal the decision.