Liberia's Justice Ministry has announced that former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor has been charged with drug trafficking, money laundering, and other offences. Ms Howard-Taylor, who served as vice president for six years until 2024, was detained at Roberts International Airport in Monrovia while attempting to board a flight.
She is accused of illegally importing, selling, and transporting controlled drugs, as well as helping to facilitate drug trafficking. Following her detention, she was taken to national police headquarters and has not yet made any public comments regarding the charges.
As part of the ongoing investigation, police have also charged three foreign nationals – two Croatians and one Ukrainian – in absentia. Liberian authorities state they are determined to apprehend these individuals, who are accused of being part of the same network as Ms Howard-Taylor. Officials are targeting all aspects of the drug-trafficking network, including organisers, facilitators, and financiers.
The charges come as Liberia continues a major crackdown on transnational drug trades, particularly cocaine trafficking. President Joseph Boakai, who took office after Ms Howard-Taylor's term, has pledged to tackle corruption and has expressed his desire to prevent Liberia from becoming a haven for drug trafficking.