Monrovia — The Government of Liberia has charged former Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor with drug trafficking and money laundering in connection with the investigation into the seizure of a US$317 million cocaine shipment in Paynesville.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh
Justice Minister N. Oswald Tweh announced the charges Wednesday at a press conference, saying Taylor has been charged under provisions of Liberia’s Controlled Drugs and Substances Act of 2023.
Minister Tweh emphasized that the charges remain allegations and that Taylor is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court of jurisdiction.
According to Tweh, Taylor faces charges under several provisions of the 2023 Controlled Drug and Substance Act, including:
- Section 14.83 — Unlicensed Importation of Controlled Drugs or Substances: Prohibits the purposeful or knowing importation into Liberia of controlled drugs or substances without a license from the Minister of Health.
- Section 14.85 — Unlicensed Sale, Trading, Administration, Dispensation, Delivery, Distribution, Dispatch in Transit and Transportation: Covers unauthorized transactions involving controlled drugs or substances, including their sale, delivery, distribution, transportation and brokering.
- Section 14.93 — Illicit Trafficking: Makes it an offense to knowingly or purposely traffic controlled drugs or substances without the required license.
Tweh also disclosed that three foreign nationals have been charged in absentia in connection with the same alleged offenses.
Liberia National Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman, who also addressed the press conference, said Taylor’s charges are linked to the US$317 million cocaine seizure made at a warehouse in the VOA Community in Paynesville in July.
Barred From Leaving Liberia
Taylor was stopped from leaving Liberia Wednesday morning and subsequently taken to Police Headquarters for questioning.
The former vice president was preparing to travel to Accra, Ghana, to attend a women’s forum when she was prevented from boarding her flight and instructed to report to the police.
Taylor confirmed the development in a statement released Wednesday.
“To all, please be informed that I was about to travel to Accra to attend a women’s forum when I was informed that I am not allowed to leave the country. I have been asked to report to the police station. I am on my way there now,” Taylor said.
Her detention and subsequent charges come amid an expanding government investigation into major cocaine seizures in Liberia, including the multimillion-dollar consignment intercepted in Paynesville.
More details to follow as the investigation and court proceedings develop.
