Liberia’s Justice Ministry announced on Wednesday that former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor has been charged with drug trafficking, money laundering, and other related offenses. The charges are part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged transnational narcotics network.
Authorities intercepted Howard-Taylor, who served as vice president from 2018 to 2024, while she was attempting to depart the country at Roberts International Airport. Following the stop, she was taken into custody at the Liberia National Police headquarters, according to the ministry's statement.
Howard-Taylor was previously married to former Liberian President Charles Taylor, who was convicted by an international war crimes court for his role in sponsoring atrocities during the civil war in Sierra Leone.
In addition to the charges against the former vice president, the government has charged three foreign nationals in absentia regarding their alleged involvement in the same narcotics network. The accused individuals are identified as Croatians Nikolai Ivancic and Mihovil Vrovac, and Ukrainian national Tara Zaderieko. Liberian authorities have stated they are pursuing measures to locate and apprehend the three suspects.
These legal actions follow an announcement last month regarding the largest drug seizure in Liberia’s history, involving tons of cocaine with an estimated value of $336 million. Authorities noted that the massive seizure, which implicated senior police officials, is not connected to the case involving Howard-Taylor.
In recent years, West Africa has become a significant transit hub for cocaine moving from South America toward Europe. Smugglers have increasingly exploited the region's porous borders and limited law enforcement capabilities to facilitate this trade.
