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ADNews-Monrovia,Liberia: The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Justice, has formally charged former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor in connection with an ongoing investigation into a transnational narcotics trafficking network operating in Liberia and beyond.
On Wednesday, August 19, 2026, Howard-Taylor was stopped from departing Liberia at Roberts International Airport (RIA) and subsequently taken to the headquarters of the Liberia National Police (LNP).
The Liberia Justice Minister and Attorney General, Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh announced charges against Madam Taylor following investigative procedures and a review of evidence presented by the Joint National Security Investigative Team.
The charges include:
Unlicensed importation of a controlled drug or substance under Section 14.83;
Unlicensed sale, trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution, dispatch in transit and transportation of a controlled drug or substance under Section 14.85; and
Illicit trafficking of a controlled drug or substance under Section 14.93.
Criminal Conspiracy Allegations
The government also charged Howard-Taylor under Chapter 10 of the Penal Law of Liberia with:
Criminal solicitation;
Criminal facilitation; and
Criminal conspiracy.
She was additionally charged under the Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Law, specifically Section 15.2, which addresses money laundering.
Three Foreign Nationals Charged in Absentia
The Ministry of Justice also announced charges against three members and organizers of the same narcotics network in absentia.
They are identified as:
- Nikolai Ivancic, a Croatian national;
- Mihovil Vrlovac, a Croatian national; and
- Tara Zaderieko, a Ukrainian national.
The government said it will pursue domestic and international legal measures to locate, apprehend and bring the three defendants before Liberian courts.
Meanwhile, Gerald Smith, former Deputy Director of the National Security Agency (NSA) for Administration, has reportedly been called in for questioning as part of the same investigation.
The Ministry of Justice described the latest actions as a decisive stage in the government’s efforts to expose and dismantle what it described as a transnational narcotics network.
Accordingly, investigators intend to identify and pursue individuals involved in the network’s leadership, financing, facilitation, transportation, operational coordination and protection, including anyone who knowingly assisted its activities.
The Attorney General said the government would not allow political influence, official positions or nationality to shield individuals from prosecution where sufficient evidence exists.
“No office is too high, no political connection is too powerful, no nationality provides immunity, and no individual is beyond the reach of the law.”
The government further described transnational narcotics trafficking as a threat to Liberia’s national security, public institutions, economy and young population.
It said its objective extends beyond the seizure of narcotics and arrest of low-level operatives, emphasizing that investigators intend to pursue the alleged network’s leadership, financing, logistics, protection arrangements and international connections.
The Ministry also cautioned the public and media against speculation, witness intimidation and publication of unverified information that could interfere with the investigation or judicial proceedings.
The government said it would withhold certain details because the investigation remains active and involves multiple individuals and jurisdictions.
It maintained that further information would be released when it is legally and operationally appropriate.
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