Suspect, police, and the drug Photo source: Facebook
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Liberia’s former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor has been remanded in prison custody in connection with one of the biggest drug busts in the history of Liberia.
Howard-Taylor, who was the second-in-command under former President George Weah, is one of many high-profile personalities in past and present government who are under investigation for their roles in the drug bust. She was arrested on August 19, 2026.
Background
In July of 2026, Liberia’s Joint Security arrested over US$300M worth of drugs (cocaine) within the Duazon area, Paynesville city, outside the country’s capital, Monrovia.
The arrest, according to state security, is considered the biggest drug bust ever in the country’s history, with tons of sealed suitcases and boxes containing high-grade cocaine inside a house where the arrest was made.
According to state security, two foreign nationals were arrested during the raid. Of the two foreign nationals, the police boss said, one had two passports, a Spanish and a Colombian, while the other held a Serbian passport.
Also, several other people were later arrested, charged, and sent to the Monrovia Central Prison awaiting court trial as the investigation continues.
Drug History
Liberia, one of Africa’s oldest and most popular countries, has taken centre stage globally, but this time for the very wrong reasons.
A recent wave of related drug activities is gradually turning the small West African country into a drug transit point.
Under the immediate past administration of soccer icon President George M. Weah, the joint security forces arrested $100million worth of drugs.
The arrest, which was made in October of 2022, included four men: one Liberian, a Portuguese, a Lebanese, and a Guinea-of Bissau national
The men were arrested trying to take ownership of the huge consignment of cocaine smuggled from Brazil, according to then Justice Minister Counsellor Frank Musah Dean.
The bust was considered one of Liberia’s biggest successes against drug smugglers in the country’s history. However, the four men who were arrested and prosecuted for their alleged roles in the trafficking would later be acquitted by the country’s Supreme Court, a decision that embarrassed the government. of Liberia.
Fast forward to July 2026, another arrest was made. Liberia is seriously battling the huge importation of drugs that is affecting the country’s security sector. It is also affecting the country’s youthful population, who are considered disadvantaged.
Before this bust, the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) arrested another consignment of drugs worth over US$19m.
This arrest was made at the country’s only international airport, the Roberts International Airport (RIA), where the drugs were ready to be flown out of the country as cargo.
Past and present Government officials linked
Since this record-breaking drug bust in Liberia, several past and present government officials have been linked to the importation, distribution, and sale of the drugs in the country.
Addressing newsmen in Monrovia, Liberia’s Justice Minister and Attorney General, Counsellor (Cllr.) N. Oswald Tweh said that former Vice President Taylor and three other foreign nationals, two Croatian nationals and a Ukrainian national, are being charged with drug trafficking and money laundering, among others.
Former Vice President of Liberia, Madam Jewel Howard Taylor
After spending her first night at the Liberia National Police (LNP) headquarters in Monrovia, Madam Taylor fell sick. At first, some nurses were invited to the LNP headquarters, but when her situation became worse, she was quickly rushed to a local hospital in the Congo Town area, outside Monrovia, under heavy security escort.
Following police charges, Madam Taylor was sent to the Monrovia City Court and subsequently sent to the Monrovia Central Prison, while the case is being tried because the charges levelled against her were not bailable offences
Below is a screenshot of the charge sheet for the former Liberian Vice President, Madam Jewel Howard Taylor
According to a statement issued by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Mark Egon Kuiah, Deputy Director for Operations at Roberts International Airport (RIA), was dismissed following a police investigation linking him to the widely discussed drug case in the country.
Below is a screenshot of President Boakai’s
Four other low-level government personnel were also dismissed and turned over to the Ministry of Justice for prosecution. They include Christian L. Nyantee, Albenigo Janior, and Caycee Nelson, who served as procurement director at the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection.
Security personnel linked
As the investigation continues, several top security personnel have been linked, dismissed, and called in by the joint security for questioning.
The Justice Minister announced on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, that the former Deputy Director of the National Security Agency (NSA), Mr Gerald Smith, has also been called for questioning in connection with the drug investigation.
Former Deputy Director of the National Security Agency (NSA), Mr. Gerald Smith
Photo source: Facebook
Minister Tweh told journalists at the conference that these decisive moves by the government through the joint security represent the government’s determination to expose and dismantle the drug network from its roots in the country.
In late July of 2026, several senior police officers, Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) officers, and National Security Agency (NSA) agents were also dismissed and turned over to the Ministry of Justice for prosecution in connection with illicit drug trade-related activities in the country.
Two police officers, Anthony T. Blaye and Wadell W. Kwarbo, were dismissed because, according to the ongoing investigation, they used assigned police official vehicles to move narcotics across the country.
(L-R) Officer Wadell W. Kwarbo and officer Anthony T. Blaye
Photo source: Facebook
On August 8, 2026, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai acknowledged receipt of a communication requesting that the former Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) officer in charge (OIC), Fitzgerald T. M. Biago, recuse himself from the position.
According to the Liberian leader’s communication, the Minister of Justice was instructed to immediately launch a comprehensive and impartial investigation into the allegations and all related circumstances.
Another senior police officer, assigned code 106, Johnny Bolar Dean, was also relieved of his duties following allegations of a US$10,000.00 bribe.
According to a statement from the Police Inspector General, Col. Gregory Coleman, Dean admitted during the investigation to receiving US$10,000 as a bribe in connection with the ongoing drug case.
Before the President’s instruction, the former LDEA officer in charge was accused of receiving a vehicle from one of the main accused persons in the ongoing drug-related investigation in Liberia.
Fitzgerald T. M. Biago, former officer in charge (OIC) of the LDEA,
Following the accusation, Biago, through his official Facebook page, denied receiving any gifts and rejected claims linking him to any member of the suspected drug gang.
Biago stated in his official response after being accused,
“Throughout my career, I have served this country with integrity, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law. I have never accepted any gift, favour, or benefit from any individual or criminal organisation in exchange for compromising my duties. I remain fully prepared to cooperate with any lawful, independent, and impartial investigation, as I am confident that the truth will prevail through due process rather than speculation or misinformation.”
What do the laws say about drug trafficking in Liberia?
According to the 2023 amended An Act of Chapter 14, Title 26, Penal Code of Liberia codes revised, offences involving unlicensed sale, trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution, dispatch in transit, and transportation of controlled drugs or substances are considered non-bailable
Article 14.85, under grading, among other things, states,
“Where the offence is deemed a first-degree felony, it shall be a grave offence and shall not be bailable. Where the offence is deemed a second-degree felony, for bail, only cash to the value of twice the bond; or cash deposit in the bank to the value of twice the bond as evidenced by a bank certificate.”
Effect of drug in Liberia
The negative impact of drug abuse can not be ignored on the streets of Monrovia and its environs, as the signs are visible and very hard, if not too difficult, to be given a blind eye.
DUBAWA’s researcher visited one of the noticeable places in central Monrovia where youthful illicit drug abusers are found. This mission was intended to hear from them about how they feel, what drives them, and whether or not they are willing to stop using the illicit substances.
Pelham building, Center street, Monrovia
Despite several raids by the government through the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) and the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC), this building still served as a shelter for thousands of illicit drug abusers known as ‘zogos’ in local Liberian parlance.
The building is close to the Centre Street cemetery, though not in use; the cemetery also served as shelter for some of those drug users.
Flomo (real name withheld), age 19, Tarpeh (not real name), age 22, and Dweh (not real name), age 18, explained to DUBAWA in separate conversations what led to them becoming drug users and how they found themselves on the streets.
(L-R) Flomo, Tarpeh, and Dweh
Flomo told DUBAWA that he found himself in the streets abusing illicit substances
after the passing of his biological mother. He said that his father’s new wife started ill-treating him, something he said led him to get onto the streets.
Flomo said, “I could not long stand the way my stepmother was treating me, and every time I told my father does not listen or believe me but instead said to me I was trying to destroy his new relationship, and when I could no longer withstand it, I had no option but walk out, and that is how i ended up in the street as a drug abuser.
Flomo said that he has been a ‘zogo’ and abusing drugs since 2017. He, however, expressed willingness to leave the streets but called on the government to assist in the process.
Tarpeh, another drug addict, told DUBAWA that he got into the streets and became a substance abuser due to hardships he and his mother have been going through.
“I could not watch my mother suffer the way she was, so I had to leave with the intention of hustling, but later found myself on the streets smoking drugs, and now I have been here for years and cannot return home.”
For Dweh, he told DUBAWA that he started taking drugs as a result of peer pressure. Coming from a densely populated slum community, Weah said that he was first introduced to taking drugs by one of his friends.
He said, “I have been into this life for more than three years now, and since I left my parents’ house, I have been living on the street. In the morning, the first thing on my mind is to take drugs, because if I don’t, I will start feeling pain in my stomach until I take it.”
President Boakai’s Message to Liberians
Amidst the ongoing investigation into over three hundred million United States dollars in Liberia, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has vowed that his Administration will apply the law equally to every Liberian, regardless of political affiliation, public office, social status or influence.
In an address delivered later on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, the Liberian leader said that his government has intensified an unrelenting national campaign against illicit drugs and organised crime.
He said, “My Administration will neither persecute nor shield anyone because of political affiliation, office, status, or influence. Whether one has held high office, served in government, led a business, or lived as an ordinary citizen, the law must apply equally to all.”
President Boakia’s address comes in the wake of heightened public interest surrounding the recent arrest and incarceration of former Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor, noting that former Vice President Howard-Taylor is being treated in accordance with the Constitution and laws of Liberia.
What are Liberians saying?
Wade Williams, a Liberian journalist based in the United States, believes that the government is being selective in the fight against drugs in the ongoing investigation.
Madam Williams, using her official Facebook page, said, “Joseph Boakai Jr, son of Liberia’s President, is a close associate of most of these people associated with the drug Cartel linked to almost a billion dollars’ worth of drugs brought into Liberia. You leave this guy, and you arrest Jewel Howard Taylor for her 2022 association with guys from Dubai? Are you really serious about this drug fight? Or are you trying to scare opposition to your government? This is insane!”
Darlington S. Collins had this to say on his official Facebook page: “Madam Jewel Howard-Taylor is presumed innocent until proven guilty; now the onus is upon the state to present its case in chief beyond all reasonable doubt. Liberia is getting better; even the powerful can stand as a criminal defendant.”
Charles McArthur D. Gull, for him, the ongoing drug saga is about opposition and the government, noted that now that the government has arrested a leading opposition figure, the investigation has ended.
Using his official Facebook page, Gull said, “The fight against Drugs finished na. Once they arrested one opposition figure, the fight finally ended. We are waiting for court day na.”
Conclusion
There are more than ten people already being charged, sent to court, and incarcerated at the Monrovia Central Prison, including former Vice President Madam Jewel Howard-Taylor, in connection with the ongoing drug saga in Liberia, pending court trial.
If convicted, each person risks being sentenced to between 10 and 20 years in prison.
