MONROVIA, LIBERIA-Liberia’s former Vice President, Jewel Howard-Taylor, has spent a night at the Liberia National Police Headquarters in Monrovia after being formally charged in connection with drug trafficking in Liberia.

The former Vice President was charged on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, by the Liberian government.

The charges include unlicensed importation of controlled drugs and substances, unlicensed sale, trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution, and transportation of controlled drugs and substances.

According to the Justice Minister and Attorney General of Liberia, Cllr. Oswald Tweh, the former Vice President and three other foreign nationals were charged under Liberia’s Controlled Drugs and Substances Act of 2023.

Minister Tweh told a special Information Ministry Press Conference on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, that Madam Howard-Taylor and the three foreign nationals were also charged with the dispatch in transit and transportation of a controlled drug or substance, among others.

The Attorney General of Liberia further disclosed that the three foreign nationals were charged in absentia.

Justice Minister Oswald Tweh then vowed that the government will exert all legal means to have the three foreign nationals brought to Liberia to face justice.