MONROVIA, Liberia, July 31, 2026 – Former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor has urged the Government of Liberia to ensure that all legal, forensic, and investigative requirements are completed before destroying the US$317 million worth of narcotics recently seized by security authorities.
In a public statement issued amid reports that the government planned to destroy the confiscated drugs while investigations were still ongoing, Howard-Taylor said Liberia’s fight against drug trafficking must remain firmly grounded in the rule of law and due process.
While commending the country’s security institutions for intercepting what authorities have described as Liberia’s largest drug seizure, she cautioned that destroying evidence before the completion of all legal procedures could undermine public confidence and weaken future prosecutions.
“This is not a call to preserve illegal drugs indefinitely. Rather, it is a call to preserve justice,” Howard-Taylor said, arguing that the case extends beyond the seizure itself and involves dismantling an alleged transnational criminal network that used Liberia as a transit point for narcotics trafficking.
She said the government should first assure the public that all forensic examinations and laboratory analyses have been completed, legally required samples have been preserved, the chain of custody has been fully documented and secured, and all individuals linked to the alleged trafficking operation have been identified, investigated, and, where appropriate, formally charged.
Howard-Taylor also called for transparency on whether the proposed destruction had received all required legal authorizations and judicial approval. She maintained that preserving the integrity of the evidence is essential not only for prosecutions in Liberia but also for any international cooperation involving transnational drug trafficking investigations.
“Liberia’s commitment to combating illicit drugs must never come at the expense of justice,” she said, adding that national security and the country’s international reputation depend on credible, transparent legal processes.
“The premature destruction of evidence, without complete transparency regarding the legal procedures followed, risks undermining public confidence and could inadvertently weaken efforts to ensure that all those responsible are brought to justice,” she added.
Howard-Taylor’s comments come as Liberia faces growing concerns over the activities of international drug trafficking networks operating in the region. The US$317 million cocaine seizure has generated widespread public interest, with many citizens calling for a comprehensive investigation to identify everyone connected to the alleged trafficking operation.
She urged the Government of Liberia, the Liberia National Police, the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency, the Ministry of Justice, and other relevant institutions to ensure that any destruction of the seized narcotics takes place only after all legal, investigative, and evidentiary requirements have been satisfied.
Her statement adds to the ongoing national debate over transparency and accountability in the handling of major criminal investigations, as public attention remains focused on whether those responsible for the trafficking operation will be fully identified and prosecuted.
The government has maintained that any destruction of seized narcotics would be conducted with court approval and that representative samples would be preserved for use as evidence in future prosecutions.
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