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Jewel Howard-Taylor remanded to prison on drug trafficking charges
Former Liberian Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor has been remanded to the Monrovia Central Prison following the denial of a bail request by the Monrovia City Court. Her legal team had requested she remain at a medical facility due to a recent medical emergency, but the court rejected the application, noting that only the Attorney General has the authority to grant such leave.
Howard-Taylor was detained on August 19 at Roberts International Airport. She faces nine charges, including the unlicensed importation of controlled drugs, illicit trafficking, criminal conspiracy, criminal facilitation, and money laundering. Prosecutors allege she was part of a transnational cocaine-trafficking network, claiming she accepted approximately $135,000 from cartel members to use her political influence to protect their operations in Liberia.
The government's case involves several foreign nationals, including Sheik Bashiru Kante, Taras Zadereiko, and Mihovil Vrovac, who are accused of conspiring to transport cocaine through Liberia to Europe. Howard-Taylor's lawyers have denied all allegations, describing the legal proceedings as baseless and politically motivated.
Entities
Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan · George Manneh Weah · Henry Pedro Costa · Jewel Howard-Taylor · Joseph Nyuma Boakai · Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr. · Liberia · Monrovia City Court · Sheik Bashiru Kante · Susannah Lewis · Taras Zadereiko · U.S. Department of State
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Prosecutors allege Howard-Taylor accepted $135,000 from an international drug network to use her influence to protect trafficking activities. liberianewsnetwork.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The court issued a writ of arrest against Jewel Howard-Taylor and three foreign nationals. geezliberia.com · frontpageafricaonline.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The court denied a request for Howard-Taylor to remain in medical detention for health reasons. geezliberia.com · smartnewsliberia.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Howard-Taylor faces nine charges, including illicit trafficking, criminal conspiracy, and money laundering. geezliberia.com · liberianewsnetwork.com · frontpageafricaonline.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Howard-Taylor was transferred to the Monrovia Central Prison following a court ruling. smartnewsliberia.com · newscentraltv.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Howard-Taylor was detained at Roberts International Airport on August 19. geezliberia.com · smartnewsliberia.com · newscentraltv.com