Former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor is facing a series of criminal charges, including illicit drug trafficking, money laundering and criminal conspiracy, following allegations that she had links to an international network involved in cocaine trafficking.
The allegations are contained in a police charge sheet, which accuses Howard-Taylor of maintaining contact with individuals investigators identify as members of a transnational cocaine trafficking operation and using her position and influence to facilitate or protect the group’s activities in Liberia.
The charges include the unlicensed importation and exportation of controlled drugs, unlawful sale and transportation of controlled substances, illicit trafficking, criminal conspiracy, criminal facilitation, criminal solicitation, money laundering and aiding the consummation of a crime.
According to investigators, Sheikh Bashiru Kante brought two foreign nationals, Taras Zadereiko, also known as “Tony,” and Mihovil Vrovac, also known as “Michael,” to Liberia in 2021. The charge sheet alleges that the men subsequently worked with Kante to move cocaine between Liberia and Europe.
Investigators claim the alleged network sought access to senior government officials who could provide protection for its activities. In 2022, Kante allegedly introduced Zadereiko and Vrovac to Howard-Taylor, who was serving as vice president at the time.
The investigation further alleges that Howard-Taylor later traveled to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where she met Nikola Ivancic, a Croatian national identified in the charge sheet as the alleged leader of the trafficking network.
According to the prosecution, a meeting took place at the H. Hotel in Dubai to discuss using Liberia as a transit point for cocaine shipments. Investigators allege that Howard-Taylor agreed to the arrangement.
The charge sheet also accuses Ivancic of giving Howard-Taylor US$45,000 during the Dubai trip. Prosecutors allege that after she returned to Liberia, she requested and received an additional US$75,000 through Kante for her Jewel Star Fish Foundation.
Investigators further allege that Howard-Taylor received another US$15,000 through Kante in August 2026. They also claim to possess an audio recording in which she expressed appreciation to the alleged leader of the network.
The prosecution says its case is based on travel records, an audio recording and witness statements. Investigators allege that Howard-Taylor participated in meetings, received funds and used the influence associated with her former office to assist the alleged criminal operation.
Howard-Taylor was arrested on August 19, 2026. The charge sheet states that she was informed of her constitutional rights and represented by lawyers Cllr. Kabineh M. Ja’neh, Cllr. J. Lavela Supuwood and Cllr. Sandra K. Howard.
According to investigators, Howard-Taylor declined to answer questions during interrogation and chose to remain silent.
A writ of arrest issued through the Monrovia City Court orders Howard-Taylor to appear before the court to answer the allegations. The document also names Zadereiko, Vrovac, Ivancic, Kante and other individuals yet to be identified as alleged accomplices.
The government is prosecuting the alleged offenses under Liberia’s Controlled Drugs and Substances Act of 2023, the New Penal Law and the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act of 2021.
Howard-Taylor has denied the allegations through her legal team, which has described the case as politically motivated and vowed to defend her.
The charges remain allegations and have not been proven in court. Howard-Taylor is presumed innocent unless and until she is found guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
