In brief
The justice ministry of Liberia has filed charges against Jewel Howard‑Taylor, the country’s former vice‑president serving from 2018 to 2024, for illegal drug importation, sale, transport and money‑laundering. The former official was held at Roberts International Airport just before boarding a flight to the United States, and has not yet issued any public statement. Liberia’s anti‑corruption drive has intensified in recent years, with the government targeting the trans‑national cocaine trade that has used West Africa as a corridor to Europe. Police have also charged three foreign nationals—two Croat and one Ukrainian—as part of the same trafficking network.
Liberia has charged former Vice‑President Jewel Howard‑Taylor with drug trafficking, money laundering and related offenses, the justice ministry confirmed.
Howard‑Taylor, who served as vice‑president from 2018 to 2024, was detained at Roberts International Airport in Monrovia before boarding a flight to the United States.
She has yet to make any public comment about the charges.
The West African country has intensified its crackdown on trans‑national drug trades, especially cocaine shipments from South America to Europe.
Howard‑Taylor is accused of illegally importing, selling and transporting controlled drugs and for facilitating trafficking operations.
Police have also charged three foreign nationals—two Croatians and one Ukrainian—in absentia as part of the investigation, alleging they were connected to the same network.
She previously held a senior role in former President George Weah’s administration, a period marred by corruption and financial mismanagement allegations.
President Joseph Boakai, who succeeded Weah, pledged to curb corruption and reduce the footholds of traffickers in Liberia.
