Liberia’s former vice president charged with drug trafficking

Former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor of Liberia has been charged with drug trafficking, money laundering, and other offenses as part of an investigation into a transnational narcotics network, according to the country's attorney general. The arrest of Howard-Taylor, who is the ex-wife of convicted war criminal Charles Taylor, occurred at Roberts International Airport on Wednesday as she was attempting to leave the country.

Authorities seized around $317 million worth of cocaine bound for Europe earlier this month, underscoring Liberia's increasing involvement in the global drug trade. The charges also include unlicensed importation of a controlled substance, criminal solicitation, and criminal conspiracy. Howard-Taylor's lawyer, Kabineh M. Ja'neh, stated that his client was in police custody and that formal charges would be presented.

In addition to Howard-Taylor, three alleged members of the narcotics network have been charged in absentia, including two Croatian nationals and a Ukrainian national.