MONROVIA – Former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor has rejected allegations linking her to drug trafficking and other related offenses, describing the charges as baseless and accusing the government of using state power to pursue a politically motivated case against her.
In a statement issued on Saturday, August 22, 2026, through her office, Howard-Taylor categorically denied any involvement in drug trafficking, financing, concealment or association with any criminal network.
The former vice president’s response follows an August 19 incident at Roberts International Airport, where she said she was prevented from traveling to Accra, Ghana, to deliver a keynote address.
According to her office, Howard-Taylor had received no prior notice that she was under investigation and had not been summoned for questioning before being stopped at the airport.
Her office said investigators later sought to connect her to individuals allegedly being investigated for transnational criminal activity based on contacts and engagements she had during her tenure as vice president.
Howard-Taylor argued that official interactions undertaken as part of her constitutional responsibilities cannot, by themselves, constitute evidence of criminal conduct.
She denied participating in, facilitating, financing or concealing any drug-trafficking operation.
The former vice president also questioned the manner in which she was taken to police headquarters.
Her office said Howard-Taylor agreed at the airport to voluntarily report to Liberia National Police headquarters with her attorneys. However, while traveling to meet her legal team, her vehicle was allegedly intercepted along the Congo Town Back Road.
She was subsequently escorted to police headquarters, where the charges were read in the presence of her lawyers, according to the statement.
Howard-Taylor’s office described the treatment as inappropriate, particularly because she had indicated her willingness to cooperate with investigators.
The former vice president also raised allegations that government actors were planning to manipulate or fabricate audio and video recordings using artificial intelligence to create evidence against her.
Her office warned that any material presented as evidence would be subjected to independent forensic examination if questions arise about its authenticity.
The statement did not identify the individuals allegedly involved in such a plan or provide evidence supporting the claim.
Howard-Taylor characterized the broader investigation as an attempt to damage her reputation and silence her politically, questioning whether the government’s actions represent a genuine law-enforcement effort or a politically driven campaign.
She called on the government to respect due process and allow the courts to determine the facts based on evidence.
Despite the allegations, Howard-Taylor said she would cooperate with the legal process while defending her record and reputation.
She urged Liberians to remain calm but insisted that respect for the law should not prevent citizens from demanding transparency and justice.
The former vice president said she was prepared to confront every allegation through the courts and expressed confidence that the truth would ultimately prevail.
“Let the Government present its evidence. Let the courts do their work. Let the truth be tested in the open,” her office said.
The statement concluded by maintaining that Howard-Taylor has nothing to hide and would neither evade the law nor allow her name to be used for political purposes.
Her office said additional verified information would be released as appropriate.
