Former Liberian Vice‑President Charged in drug‑trafficking probe

Liberia’s justice ministry has formally charged former Vice‑President Jewel Howard‑Taylor with drug trafficking, money‑laundering and a range of other offences, the Ministry confirmed.

Howard‑Taylor, who sat in office between 2018 and 2024, was detained by police before boarding a flight at Liberia’s Roberts International Airport in Monrovia.

She has yet to make any public statement about the charges.

The West African nation has intensified its fight against transnational drug trade in recent years, especially targeting cocaine. The charges against Howard‑Taylor say she illegally imported, sold and transported controlled drugs and helped facilitate trafficking operations.

Police also charged three foreign nationals – two Croatians and one Ukrainian – in absentia as part of the same investigation. They are accused of being part of the same network as the former politician.

Howard‑Taylor held a senior role in the administration of former President George Weah, whose six years in office were marred by repeated corruption and financial mis‑management allegations. He was succeeded by President Joseph Boakai, who pledged to crack down on corruption and resist attempts by traffickers to establish bases in Liberia.

West Africa has increasingly become a major transit route for cocaine traveling from South America to Europe, according to authorities.">