By Lincoln G. Peters
MONROVIA, August 25, 2026 — The Liberia National Police (LNP) has alleged that former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor received approximately US$135,000 from individuals it identifies as members of a transnational cocaine trafficking cartel between 2022 and 2026, according to a police charge sheet filed in connection with the ongoing US$317 million cocaine case.
The allegations, which have not been proven in court, form part of the government’s case against the former vice president as authorities prepare for preliminary proceedings.
According to the charge sheet, Howard-Taylor allegedly maintained contacts with Taras Zadereiko, alias “Tony”; Mihovil Vrovac, alias “Michael”; Nikola Ivancic, a Croatian national whom police describe as the alleged ringleader of the cocaine trafficking network; and Sheikh Bashiru Kante.
Police alleged that Howard-Taylor met members of the group in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where discussions were held about allegedly using Liberia as a transit point for cocaine trafficking.
The charge sheet states that the group stayed at H Hotel near the Trade Centre Roundabout on Sheikh Zayed Road, where Howard-Taylor allegedly met Ivancic and others.
According to police, Howard-Taylor allegedly received US$45,000 from Ivancic for shopping while in Dubai, in the presence of Kante, Zadereiko and Vrovac.
Police further alleged that after returning to Liberia, Howard-Taylor maintained ties with members of the alleged network and later requested and received US$75,000 through Kante for her Jewel Star Fish Foundation.
“Upon defendant Jewel Howard-Taylor’s return to Liberia, she maintained strong ties with the cocaine cartel,” the police charge sheet alleges.
Authorities further claimed that Howard-Taylor received an additional US$15,000 through Kante in August 2026 and subsequently expressed appreciation to Ivancic. Police said they possess an audio recording that allegedly captures the communication.
The three alleged payments — US$45,000, US$75,000 and US$15,000 — total US$135,000.
Police accused Howard-Taylor of knowingly collaborating with members of the alleged trafficking network, consenting to their operations and using her office and influence to provide support and protection.
These allegations remain subject to judicial scrutiny, and Howard-Taylor is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless and until proven guilty in a court of competent jurisdiction.
Writ of Arrest
Meanwhile, a writ of arrest issued through the Monrovia City Court on August 19, 2026, named Howard-Taylor, Zadereiko, Vrovac, Ivancic, Kante and others yet to be identified.
They are accused of offenses including importation of controlled drugs, unlicensed exportation of controlled drugs and substances, unlicensed sale, trading in transit and transportation of controlled substances, abuse of office, illicit trafficking, criminal conspiracy and facilitation, criminal solicitation, money laundering and aiding the consummation of a crime.
The writ ordered Howard-Taylor brought before the Monrovia City Court at the Temple of Justice in Montserrado County to answer to the charges.
Authorities alleged that the offenses violated provisions of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act of 2023, the New Penal Law of Liberia and the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act of 2021.
The writ further alleged that in 2021, Kante brought Zadereiko and Vrovac to Liberia, where the three allegedly conspired to import cocaine into Liberia and export it to Europe.
According to the government’s allegations, members of the network subsequently sought contacts with senior government officials to secure protection for their operations.
Authorities alleged that in 2022, Kante introduced Zadereiko and Vrovac to Howard-Taylor, who was then serving as Vice President of Liberia.
The writ claims that Howard-Taylor later met Kante, Zadereiko and Vrovac at her Sophie community residence in Congo Town, where the two foreign nationals allegedly invited her to Dubai to meet Ivancic.
“In Dubai, they lodged at the H. Hotel where a meeting was held about using Liberia as a transit point for the illicit trafficking of cocaine, to which she agreed,” the writ alleges.
The allegations against Howard-Taylor and the other defendants are expected to come under scrutiny as the case proceeds through the courts.
