Jos Leijdekkers, a key player in global cocaine trafficking, is wanted by Dutch police after receiving a 24-year prison sentence for his role in smuggling over seven tonnes of cocaine. He has reportedly been living in Sierra Leone for six months, prompting calls for his expedited extradition.
International Manhunt Intensifies for Fugitive Drug Trafficker in Sierra Leone
International Manhunt Intensifies for Fugitive Drug Trafficker in Sierra Leone
Dutch authorities have confirmed that wanted drug smuggler Jos Leijdekkers has been residing in Sierra Leone for the past six months, adding urgency to international efforts to apprehend him.
Dutch authorities have revealed that Jos Leijdekkers, a fugitive accused of international drug trafficking, has been living in Sierra Leone for around six months. The Dutch police have branded him a "key player" in the cocaine trade, having been sentenced in absentia to twenty-four years in prison by a Rotterdam court last year for smuggling over seven tonnes of cocaine. Dutch prosecutor Wim de Bruin emphasized the urgency of Leijdekkers' return to the Netherlands, stating that it is "of the highest priority," although further details cannot be shared due to an ongoing investigation.
Previously believed to be residing in Turkey, Leijdekkers, who is known by the nickname "Bolle Jos," was recently located in Sierra Leone, where he reportedly remains undetected by local authorities. Reports surfaced when the First Lady of Sierra Leone posted a video from a church service that allegedly featured him, although this footage has not been independently verified by news organizations.
In a bid to capture Leijdekkers, Dutch authorities are offering a reward of $210,000—reportedly the largest ever for a fugitive in the Netherlands—for information leading to his arrest. He appears on Europol's list of the most-wanted criminals, highlighting the international dimensions of drug trafficking, particularly in West Africa, which serves as a critical transit hub for cocaine originating from Latin America.
In related developments, Sierra Leone recently faced scrutiny over drug trafficking allegations as its ambassador to Guinea was recalled following the discovery of several suitcases containing suspected cocaine in an embassy vehicle. The incident has raised important questions about the country's involvement in the international drug trade, though officials have maintained that the recall does not implicate the ambassador in illegal activities.
As Dutch authorities intensify their efforts to locate and apprehend Leijdekkers, the unfolding situation raises significant concerns regarding regional security and the ongoing battle against drug trafficking in West Africa.
