MONROVIA, LIBERIA – A Monrovia City Court writ of arrest has formally placed former Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor at the center of a sweeping criminal investigation into an alleged transnational cocaine trafficking operation said by investigators to have operated through Liberia.
The court document, issued on August 25, 2026, directs law enforcement authorities to bring Taylor before the Monrovia City Court to respond to a series of serious criminal allegations filed by the Republic of Liberia through the Ministry of Justice.
The charges include importation of controlled drugs, unlicensed exportation of controlled drugs and substances, unlicensed sale and trading in controlled substances, in-transit transportation of controlled substances, illicit trafficking, criminal conspiracy, criminal facilitation, criminal solicitation, money laundering, aiding the consummation of crime and abuse of office.
The case stems from an investigation conducted by a Joint Special Investigation Team established under the Ministry of Justice.
At the heart of the government’s allegations is an alleged network involving Liberian and foreign nationals who investigators say sought to establish Liberia as a transit route for cocaine destined for Europe.
The government alleges that the alleged operation began establishing contacts in Liberia as far back as 2021.
According to the writ, Sheikh Bashiru Kante allegedly brought two foreign nationals, Taras Zadereiko and Mihovil Vrovac, to Liberia during that period.
Investigators allege that the men subsequently conspired with Kante to facilitate the importation and exportation of cocaine through Liberia.
The government further alleges that the alleged network recognized the need for access to influential government officials and consequently sought relationships with senior political figures.
It is within that alleged effort, prosecutors claim, that Taylor became connected to the network.
The writ alleges that Kante introduced Taylor, then serving as Vice President, to Zadereiko and Vrovac in 2022.
Investigators claim that a subsequent meeting took place at Taylor’s residence in Congo Town.
The court document alleges that the meeting was followed by an invitation for Taylor to travel to Dubai, where she allegedly met Nikola Ivancic, described by investigators as the alleged leader of the cocaine trafficking organization.
The prosecution alleges that discussions in Dubai centered on using Liberia as a transit point for cocaine trafficking and that Taylor agreed to the proposal.
The government’s allegations also involve a series of financial transactions.
Investigators claim that Taylor received US$45,000 from Ivancic during her stay in Dubai.
The government further alleges that Taylor later received US$75,000 through Kante for the Jewel Star Fish Foundation.
A further US$15,000 payment is alleged to have been received in August 2026.
The prosecution contends that the payments were connected to Taylor’s continuing relationship with individuals allegedly involved in the cocaine network.
Investigators also claim that Taylor maintained communications and engagements with alleged members of the organization while cocaine trafficking activities allegedly continued in and out of Liberia.
The government says an audio recording allegedly contains an expression of appreciation from Taylor to Ivancic and has cited the recording as part of its case.
Beyond the alleged financial transactions, prosecutors accuse Taylor of using her political office and influence to assist and protect the alleged criminal operation.
The allegations are particularly significant because they involve a former senior official of the Liberian government and invoke provisions of several major criminal statutes.
The government has cited the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act of 2023, the New Penal Law and the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act of 2021 as the legal basis for the charges.
Taylor was arrested on August 19 by the Joint National Security investigative team.
The charge sheet states that investigators informed her of her constitutional rights before questioning her.
She was represented by Cllr. Kabineh M. Ja’neh, Cllr. J. Lavela Supuwood and Cllr. Sandra K. Howard, according to the document.
The former Vice President reportedly declined to make a statement and chose to remain silent.
The court’s August 25 writ now gives the allegations a formal judicial pathway, requiring Taylor to appear before the Monrovia City Court to answer the charges.
The case does not involve Taylor alone. The writ also identifies Zadereiko, Vrovac, Ivancic, Kante and other individuals yet to be identified as defendants.
The government’s allegations represent claims contained in charging documents and are not a judicial determination of guilt.
Taylor remains entitled to the presumption of innocence, due process and the right to challenge the evidence and allegations presented against her as the case proceeds through Liberia’s judicial system.
