MONROVIA, August 21, 2026 — Former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor is expected to appear before the Monrovia City Court on Friday, August 21, following a one-day extension granted by the Liberia National Police (LNP) due to reported health complications.
According to the police, Howard-Taylor experienced extremely high blood pressure while at LNP headquarters, where she was examined by a health practitioner.
Health authorities reportedly advised that she receive medical treatment and be confirmed stable before being transferred to court. Based on the medical advice, police granted the extension and allowed her doctor to treat her at LNP headquarters ahead of her planned court appearance.
Howard-Taylor has been charged in connection with Liberia’s ongoing investigation into an alleged transnational cocaine trafficking network after security authorities prevented her from leaving the country on Wednesday.
Justice Minister Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh announced the charges during a special briefing at the Ministry of Information late Wednesday, August 19, following hours of questioning at LNP headquarters.
Tweh said the former Vice President faces multiple charges under the Controlled Drug and Substance Act of 2023, the Penal Law of Liberia and the Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Law.
Under the Controlled Drug and Substance Act, Howard-Taylor was charged with unlicensed importation of a controlled drug or substance; unlicensed sale, trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution, dispatch in transit and transportation of a controlled drug or substance; and illicit trafficking of a controlled drug or substance.
She was also charged with criminal solicitation, criminal facilitation and criminal conspiracy under the Penal Law, as well as alleged money laundering under the Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Law.
The charges represent a major development in the government’s investigation into the alleged cocaine trafficking network, which has resulted in several arrests and disciplinary actions against security and government personnel.
Before the charges were announced, Howard-Taylor was prevented from leaving Liberia while reportedly preparing to travel to Accra, Ghana, to attend a women’s forum.
She was subsequently taken to police headquarters for questioning in connection with the investigation.
Information Minister Jerolinmek M. Piah later confirmed that the former Vice President was being treated as a person of interest.
Howard-Taylor reportedly underwent more than eight hours of questioning before the government announced the charges against her.
She is expected to be transferred to the Monrovia City Court on Friday, subject to her medical condition. – Compiled and edited by Othello B. Garblah.
