By Lawrence Williams
Former Liberian vice president Jewel Howard-Taylor has been charged with drug trafficking, money laundering and related offences as part of a broader investigation into an alleged transnational narcotics network operating in the country.
Howard-Taylor, who served as vice president under ex-president George Weah, was stopped at the Roberts International Airport on Wednesday while attempting to travel out of the country.
Liberia’s Justice Minister Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh indicated that the charges rest on evidence presented by the Joint National Security Investigative Team.
He also announced that three foreign nationals have been charged in absentia in connection with the alleged network. Croatian nationals Nikolai Ivancic and Mihovil Vrlovac, and Ukrainian national Tara Zaderieko.
The authorities say they will pursue domestic and international measures to locate and apprehend the three suspects and bring them before the courts.
Justice Minister Tweh presented the investigation as part of a broader government campaign to dismantle organised narcotics trafficking and prevent criminal networks from infiltrating state institutions.
“No office is too high, no political connection is too powerful, no nationality provides immunity, and no individual is beyond the reach of the law,” Tweh said, adding that they intend to “dismantle the entire criminal infrastructure.”
The charges against Howard-Taylor come as Liberia steps up its fight against transnational drug trafficking following major cocaine seizures and investigations involving government and security officials.
President Joseph Boakai recently took disciplinary action against senior government and security officials following investigations into a $19m drug burst at the Roberts International Airport in June and a $317m high-grade cocaine discovered at the premises of two foreign nationals near Monrovia in July.
Following these events, Howard-Taylor released a statement on July 30 declaring support for the government’s fight against illicit drugs, calling it “a grave threat to our national security, our youth, and Liberia’s international reputation.”
Despite the serious nature of the allegations, the government said they are not a determination of guilt.
Minister Tweh said all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court, assuring that due processes would be strictly followed.
