Former Liberian Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor has been charged with drug trafficking, money laundering and related offences as part of an investigation into an alleged transnational narcotics network.

The Justice Ministry announced the charges on Wednesday, saying Howard-Taylor was stopped while attempting to leave Liberia through Roberts International Airport and subsequently taken to Liberia National Police headquarters.

Howard-Taylor, who served as vice president from 2018 to 2024, faces allegations including the unlicensed importation, sale, distribution and transportation of controlled substances, as well as criminal solicitation, facilitation, conspiracy and money laundering.

The charges remain allegations and will be tested through the legal process.

Liberian authorities have also charged three foreign nationals in absentia over their alleged involvement in the suspected narcotics network.

They were identified as Croatian nationals Nikolai Ivancic and Mihovil Vrovac, and Ukrainian national Tara Zaderieko.

Authorities said they would pursue efforts to locate and arrest the three suspects.

The investigation comes amid an intensified government crackdown on international drug trafficking networks operating through Liberia.

The case follows a series of major narcotics investigations and seizures in Liberia.

In June, authorities intercepted about 237.6 kilogrammes of cocaine at Roberts International Airport, with an estimated value of more than $19 million. The seizure prompted a joint national security investigation into the shipment and its possible links to organised criminal networks.

In July, Liberia announced what it described as its largest-ever cocaine seizure, involving nearly four tonnes of the drug valued at about $317 million. Several police officials were reportedly implicated in that investigation.

Officials have stressed that the cocaine seizure cases and the investigation involving Howard-Taylor are separate matters.

Liberia’s drug enforcement authorities have intensified operations against narcotics trafficking this year.

The Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency said its operations between January and February resulted in 170 arrests and the seizure of more than 331 kilogrammes of assorted narcotics.

The agency has also prosecuted former officers accused of interfering with drug evidence, highlighting increased scrutiny of corruption within law enforcement.

President Joseph Boakai has pledged to pursue individuals involved in illicit drug trafficking while insisting that investigations and prosecutions must be conducted in accordance with the rule of law.

The investigation comes as West Africa remains an important transit corridor for cocaine trafficked from South America towards European markets.

Drug trafficking networks have exploited the region’s strategic location, international transport connections and enforcement vulnerabilities to move narcotics across borders.

The case involving Howard-Taylor is therefore expected to intensify scrutiny of Liberia’s efforts to prevent its airports, ports and institutions from being exploited by international criminal networks.(Arise News)

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