Monrovia, Liberia — Former Liberian Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor has called on the Liberian government to ensure all legal and investigative procedures are completed before destroying the recently seized narcotics reportedly valued at approximately US$336 million.
In a statement issued Thursday, Howard-Taylor said she supports Liberia’s fight against illicit drugs and commended the country’s security institutions for intercepting the shipment before it could reach local communities or international markets. She described drug trafficking as a serious threat to national security, the country’s youth, and Liberia’s international reputation.
However, the former vice president cautioned that the government’s commitment to combating crime must not come at the expense of due process and the rule of law. She noted reports indicating that authorities intend to destroy the seized narcotics while investigations into the alleged international drug trafficking operation are still ongoing.
Howard-Taylor urged the government to assure the public that all legal and forensic requirements have been met before any destruction takes place. She said authorities should confirm that forensic examinations and laboratory analyses have been completed, adequate evidence has been preserved for future prosecutions, the chain of custody has been properly documented, all individuals connected to the criminal enterprise have been identified and investigated, and the destruction has received the necessary legal authorization and judicial oversight.
According to her, the case extends beyond the seizure of illegal drugs, as it involves dismantling what has been described as a transnational criminal network that allegedly used Liberia as a transit point. She stressed that preserving the integrity of the evidence is essential for successful prosecutions both in Liberia and through international cooperation.
Howard-Taylor warned that prematurely destroying the narcotics without full transparency regarding the legal procedures followed could undermine public confidence and potentially weaken efforts to bring all those responsible to justice.
She emphasized that her statement was not an appeal to retain the illegal drugs indefinitely but rather a call to safeguard the integrity of the justice process.
The former vice president urged the Liberia National Police, Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency, Ministry of Justice, and other relevant authorities to ensure that any destruction of the seized narcotics occurs only after all legal, investigative, and evidentiary requirements have been fully satisfied.
She concluded by stating that Liberia’s fight against drug trafficking must remain firm, transparent, credible, and firmly anchored in the rule of law, adding that “justice must not only be done—it must be seen to be done.”
