Liberia’s Former VP Jewel Howard-Taylor Remanded In Prison Over $317M Drug Trafficking Case
Liberia’s former Vice President, Jewel Howard-Taylor, has been remanded at the Monrovia Central Prison, South Beach, after her first court appearance on eight charges linked to international illicit drug trafficking.
The Monrovia City Court, sitting at the Temple of Justice, ordered her detention on Tuesday in connection with the $317 million drug trafficking case.
Her lawyers asked the court to grant her compassionate leave, citing asthma and high blood pressure. State prosecutors rejected the plea, saying only the Attorney General and Justice Minister can grant compassionate leave, and that a formal request should have been filed first.
The court sided with the state, noting that drug-related offences are non-bailable under Liberian law. This means suspects must remain in custody while awaiting indictment.
Howard-Taylor served as Vice President of Liberia from 2018 to 2024. She is now being held as a pre-trial detainee.
