-Official Charge Sheet Details Alleged Dubai Meeting, US$135,000 in Payments and Evidence Investigators Say Links Former Vice President to Cocaine Network
MONROVIA, LIBERIA — Former Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor was committed to Monrovia Central Prison after the Monrovia City Court granted her request for a preliminary examination but rejected her lawyers’ plea for medical or “compassionate” detention outside prison.
The ruling, contained in court proceedings dated August 25, 2026, came as official Police and court documents laid out a detailed set of allegations against the former Vice President, accusing her of involvement with a transnational cocaine trafficking network between 2022 and 2026.
Taylor has denied the allegations and described the case as politically motivated.
The official Police charge sheet, issued by the Joint Special Investigation Team under the Ministry of Justice, lists nine offenses against her: unlicensed importation of controlled drugs or substances; unlicensed exportation; unlicensed sale, trading, administration, delivery, distribution, dispatch in transit and transportation of controlled drugs; illicit trafficking; criminal facilitation; criminal solicitation; criminal conspiracy; money laundering; and aiding the consummation of crime.
The charge sheet identifies Taras Zadereiko alias Tony, Mihovil Vrovac alias Michael and Nikola Ivancic, among others, as alleged accomplices.
Alleged Introduction to Cocaine Suspects
According to the court’s writ of arrest, the case traces back to 2021, when Sheikh Bashiru Kante allegedly brought Zadereiko and Vrovac to Liberia.
The document alleges that the two foreign nationals subsequently worked with Kante in a scheme to import and export cocaine through Liberia to Europe.
Investigators allege that the group then sought contacts with senior Liberian officials to protect the alleged trafficking operation.
The court document states that Kante introduced Zadereiko and Vrovac to Taylor in 2022, when she was serving as Vice President.
The alleged meeting took place at Taylor’s Sophie residence in Congo Town, according to the writ.
The prosecution further alleges that, during that meeting, Zadereiko and Vrovac invited Taylor to travel to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to meet Nikola Ivancic, whom the investigators identify as a Croatian national and alleged kingpin or ring leader of the cocaine trafficking network.
Dubai Meeting at Center of Allegations
According to the official court document, Taylor traveled to Dubai, where she and the alleged traffickers stayed at the H. Hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road.
Investigators allege that a meeting was held concerning the use of Liberia as a transit point for cocaine trafficking and that Taylor agreed to the arrangement.
The Police charge documents further allege that Taylor received US$45,000 from Ivancic while in Dubai, purportedly for shopping, in the presence of Kante, Zadereiko and Vrovac.
But the allegations do not end with the Dubai trip.
The Police say that after Taylor returned to Liberia, she maintained contacts with the alleged cocaine network.
The charge documents allege that she subsequently requested and received US$75,000 through Kante for the Jewel Star Fish Foundation while the alleged cartel continued its cocaine operations.
Investigators also allege that in August 2026, Taylor again requested and received US$15,000 through Kante.
The documents therefore identify alleged payments totaling US$135,000 across the three instances described: US$45,000 in Dubai, US$75,000 through Kante for the foundation and US$15,000 allegedly received in August 2026.
The Police further allege that Taylor expressed appreciation to Ivancic in an audio recording.
Investigators Cite Travel Records, Audio and Witnesses
The official charge document says investigators are relying on more than allegations of association.
It specifically cites travel records relating to the Dubai meeting, an audio recording and witnesses’ testimonies as evidence that investigators say confirm Taylor’s participation or association with members of the alleged cocaine trafficking network.
The Police document alleges that Taylor knowingly collaborated and conspired with individuals operating the alleged cocaine cartel, including by attending meetings, receiving money, consenting to trafficking operations and using her office and influence to provide support and protection.
Those remain prosecution allegations and have not been established as facts by a final judgment of the court.
Taylor Remains Silent During Police Investigation
The Police charge sheet states that Taylor was arrested on August 19, 2026, by the Joint National Security Team of investigators.
It says she was informed of her constitutional rights and represented by Cllr. Kabineh M. Ja’neh, Cllr. J. Lavela Supuwood and Cllr. Sandra K. Howard.
According to the charge document, Taylor chose to remain silent in the presence of her lawyers.
The court later issued a formal writ of arrest dated August 25, 2026, directing authorities to bring her before the Monrovia City Court to answer the allegations.
Medical Detention Plea Rejected
Taylor’s appearance before the court also centered heavily on her health.
Her lawyers asked the court to allow her to remain at a medical facility where she was receiving treatment, arguing that her medical condition was serious and potentially life-threatening.
The defense relied on provisions of Liberian law concerning preliminary examination, compassionate leave and the constitutional right to life.
The prosecution did not object to the preliminary examination but strongly resisted the request for medical detention.
Prosecutors argued that “compassionate detention” was not a recognized legal remedy in Liberia and that the seriousness of the offenses made the defense request inappropriate.
The prosecution also challenged the defense’s characterization of Taylor’s medical condition.
Court Relies on August 21 Medical Report
In its ruling, the court referred to a medical report dated August 21, 2026.
The court record quotes the report as stating that, from the time of submission to admission, Taylor had experienced no significant adverse effect, while her vital signs—including blood pressure and blood sugar—had been relatively normal, with stabilized sleep patterns and anxiety.
The court concluded that the medical information before it did not justify granting the requested detention arrangement.
It also cited the provision governing compassionate leave and ruled that the authority to grant such leave rests with the Executive Branch through the Ministry of Justice, rather than the Judiciary.
Central Prison Ordered
The court granted Taylor’s request for preliminary examination, but denied the request for compassionate leave.
It then ordered that she be committed to Monrovia Central Prison, directing the sheriff to effect the order.
Taylor’s defense lawyers excepted to the ruling, particularly the portion denying the medical leave request, and indicated that they would pursue the remedies available under Liberian law.
The case now moves toward the preliminary examination, where the allegations and the evidence supporting them will face further judicial scrutiny.
For Taylor, the proceedings mark an extraordinary turn for a woman who served as Liberia’s Vice President from 2018 to 2024 and who now faces some of the most serious criminal allegations brought against a former senior government official in recent Liberian history.
For the prosecution, the case represents an effort to establish whether one of the country’s alleged international drug-trafficking networks received assistance, protection or facilitation from within Liberia’s political establishment.
For the defense, Taylor’s innocence remains the central position, and the former Vice President has vowed to challenge the allegations in court.
The charges contained in the Police charge sheet and writ of arrest are allegations. Taylor remains legally entitled to the presumption of innocence unless and until proven guilty by a competent court.
For breaking news, in-depth analysis, and exclusive reports from Liberia and around the world, follow The Liberian Post on Facebook (https://web.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576017166570) and X, formerly Twitter (https://x.com/LiberianPost).
