Madam Taylor’s charges include criminal facilitation, unlicensed importation of controlled substances; distribution of controlled substances; transportation of controlled substances; illicit trafficking; criminal solicitation; criminal facilitation; criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
She is charged in transnational narcotics investigation.
The Ministry of Justice, formally charged Madam Jewel Howard-Taylor in connection with an ongoing investigation into an alleged transnational narcotics network operating within, and beyond the country.
The announcement marks a major development in government’s efforts to investigate, and dismantle an alleged criminal enterprise with international connections.
Ministry of Justice: “Howard-Taylor was stopped from departing the country at RIA, and subsequently taken to the headquarters of the LNP for questioning, and further investigative procedures. Following a review of evidence presented by the Joint National Security Investigative Team, authorities said, she was formally charged with multiple offenses.”
The charges filed against Madam Taylor under the Controlled Drug and Substance Act of 2023, include unlicensed importation of a controlled drug or substance, unlicensed sale, trading, administration, delivery, distribution, dispatch in transit, and transportation of a controlled drug, or substance, as well as illicit trafficking of a controlled drug or substance.
She is also charged under Chapter 10 of the Penal Law with criminal solicitation, criminal facilitation and criminal conspiracy.
Additionally, the government said, Madam Taylor has been charged under the Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Law for money laundering.
The Ministry of Justice also announced that three alleged members, and organizers of the same network, Nikolai Ivancic, and Mihovil Vrovac, both identified as Croatian nationals, and Tara Zaderieko, identified as a Ukrainian national, have been charged in absentia.
The government said, it will pursue all lawful domestic, and international measures to locate, apprehend, and bring the three defendants before the courts of Liberia.
Meanwhile, former Deputy Director of the National Security Agency (NSA) for Administration, Gerald Smith, has been called in for questioning as part of the same investigation.
The Ministry of Justice described the latest actions as a “decisive stage in its effort to expose, and dismantle the alleged narcotics network, including its leadership, financiers, facilitators, transporters, operational coordinators, and alleged institutional protectors. The government stressed that its objective is to follow the evidence across institutions, and national borders rather than focus solely on the seizure of narcotics, or the arrest of lower-level operatives.
Authorities further warned that no political office, connection or nationality would provide protection from prosecution where credible evidence exists. The government said, Liberia would not allow its territory or institutions to become a transit corridor for illicit narcotics, while urging political actors, media institutions, and the public to avoid speculation, witness intimidation, and the dissemination of unverified information that could interfere with the investigation.
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, the government emphasized that the charges remain “accusations, and do not constitute findings of guilt.”
The Ministry adds: “Howard-Taylor, and all other defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction, and are entitled to legal representation, due process, and all constitutional, and statutory protections guaranteed under Liberian law.”
The government said, the investigation remains active, and sensitive, and pledged to pursue the case within the bounds of the law.
On Wednesday, August 19, Liberia National Police (LNP) intercepted former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor at the Roberts International Airport (RIA), and formally identified her as a ‘person of interest.’
By late hour, the state has charged Madam Taylor, and detained her at the police headquarters on Capitol Hill until further investigations are conducted.
Police say, Madam Taylor’s arrest was in connection with the recent drug cartels amounting to at least US$319.2 million brought in the country.
She is reported to have facilitated state crimes, including the cartel.
Information Minister Jerolinmek Matthew Piah made the earlier announcement during a broadcast on State Radio confirming the arrest of Madam Taylor.
She has, at the time of her arrest, prepared to board an ASKY flight to Accra, Ghana for a women’s forum. She was briefly detained by authorities at the airport before being whisked off to Monrovia for further investigation.
Madam Taylor explained how she was informed she could not leave the country, and was instructed to report to the headquarters of the LNP.
Reports indicate that Taylor attempted to contact the head of the immigration service for clarification, but was unable to reach them.
Sources: Joseph K. Sallie and Godgift Harris contributed to this article.
