Liberia Charges Former Vice President In Drug Probe

Liberia has charged former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor with drug trafficking, money laundering and other offences as part of an investigation into a transnational narcotics network, said on Wednesday by the attorney general of the country.

Howard-Taylor was arrested after she was stopped while attempting to leave Liberia through Roberts International Airport. She was taken to the national police headquarters, according to a government statement.

The charges also include the unlicensed importation of a controlled substance, criminal solicitation and criminal conspiracy.

Her arrest comes less than a month after Liberian authorities announced the seizure of about $317 million worth of cocaine destined for Europe, highlighting concerns over the country’s role in international drug trafficking.

The government said it would prosecute anyone against whom credible and admissible evidence is established, regardless of political status.

Howard-Taylor’s lawyer, Kabineh M. Ja’neh, told Reuters he had met with his client and was informed that authorities intended to charge her. He said he had not yet seen the formal indictment.

She remains in the custody of the Liberia National Police pending further proceedings.

Authorities have also charged three alleged members of the narcotics network in absentia. The suspects, two Croatian nationals and one Ukrainian, are being sought through domestic and international legal channels.

Howard-Taylor served as vice president under former President George Weah from January 2018 to January 2024. She is also the former wife of convicted Liberian war criminal Charles Taylor.

SOURCE: Reuters