By Kruah Thompson
MONROVIA, August 20, 2026 — Former Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor is spending her first night in police custody following her alleged connection to Liberia’s ongoing investigation into a major cocaine trafficking case.
Taylor was taken into police custody on Wednesday, August 19, while reportedly on her way to Roberts International Airport to leave the country.
According to the Liberia National Police, the former vice president was prevented from leaving Liberia because of her alleged connection to the ongoing drug investigation and was taken to police headquarters for questioning.
Minutes after she was taken into custody, police announced that Taylor had been charged with illicit drug trafficking and money laundering.
She remained at the headquarters of the Liberia National Police Wednesday evening and is expected to stay in custody pending her appearance before a court.
At approximately 7:55 p.m. Wednesday, The New Dawn visited the Liberia National Police headquarters, where a police source confirmed that the former vice president was still being held and was expected to spend the night in custody.
Taylor’s detention marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the major cocaine trafficking case, which has already drawn widespread public and political attention.
Police have not yet disclosed the specific evidence linking the former vice president to the alleged drug trafficking operation.
