Charge Sheet Alleges Taylor Received US$120,000 From Suspected Cocaine Network

A police charge sheet filed before the Monrovia City Court has accused former Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor of allegedly maintaining close ties with individuals identified by investigators as members of an international cocaine trafficking network and receiving more than US$100,000 in payments linked to the group.

The allegations are contained in a charge sheet dated August 19, 2026, prepared by the Joint Special Investigation Team under the Ministry of Justice.

According to the document, investigators allege that Taylor knowingly collaborated with and supported a cocaine trafficking operation involving Croatian nationals Taras Zadereiko, also known as Tony, and Mihovil Vrovac, also known as Michael, as well as alleged drug kingpin Nikola Ivancic and Sheikh Bashiru Kante.

The charge sheet alleges that while Taylor was in Dubai, she received US$45,000 from Nikola Ivancic for shopping, in the presence of Kante, Zadereiko and Vrovac.

Investigators further allege that after returning to Liberia, Taylor maintained what the charge sheet describes as strong ties with the cocaine cartel and later requested and received another US$75,000 from the hierarchy of the alleged cartel through Sheikh Bashiru Kante.

The document also alleges that Taylor maintained constant contact and engagements with members of the network and continued to communicate with Kante.

Investigators claim that in August 2026, Taylor again requested and received US$15,000 from Kante, allegedly at the request of Ivancic, whom the charge sheet identifies as a Croatian national and alleged kingpin of the cocaine trafficking network.

The charge sheet further alleges that Taylor met the suspected traffickers at her residence in Congo Town, Montserrado County, and that the relationship later resulted in an invitation for her to travel to Dubai to meet Ivancic.

According to the document, Ivancic and the other alleged traffickers had earlier lodged at the H. Hotel in Dubai, where they allegedly discussed using Liberia as a transit point for the illicit trafficking of cocaine.

Investigators allege that Taylor agreed to the proposal.

The charge sheet accuses the former Vice President of knowingly collaborating and conspiring with members of the alleged cocaine cartel by holding meetings, receiving cash, consenting to drug trafficking operations, and allegedly using her office and influence to support and protect the cartel's illegal activities in Liberia.

The investigation, according to the document, included travel records, an audio recording, and witness testimonies allegedly confirming Taylor's participation and association with members of the criminal network.

Taylor is therefore facing multiple charges under Liberia's Controlled Drugs and Substances Act of 2023, including unlicensed importation and exportation of controlled drugs or substances, unlicensed sale and trafficking, illicit trafficking, criminal facilitation, criminal solicitation, criminal conspiracy, money laundering, and aiding consumption of crime.

The charge sheet says Taylor was arrested on August 19 following an investigation by the Joint National Security Team.

It further states that investigators informed her of her constitutional rights and that she was accompanied by human rights lawyers, including Cllr. Mohammed F. Fahnbullah, Cllr. Lavela Supuwood and Cllr. Sandra K. Howard, during questioning.

The allegations against Taylor form part of the government's broader investigation into an alleged international cocaine trafficking network operating through Liberia.

However, the accusations contained in the charge sheet remain allegations and must be established through judicial proceedings. Taylor is presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.

The case has heightened public attention because of Taylor's former position as Vice President of Liberia and the alleged involvement of individuals identified by investigators as international cocaine traffickers.