Wanted Dutch drug-smuggler ‘is in Sierra Leone’
3 min readDutch authorities have confirmed that one of Europe’s most-wanted fugitives, Jos Leijdekkers, has been living in Sierra Leone for approximately six months. Leijdekkers, a 33-year-old Dutchman, was sentenced in absentia to 24 years in prison by a court in Rotterdam on June 25, 2024, for his involvement in smuggling over seven tonnes of cocaine. Dutch prosecutors have emphasized that Leijdekkers’ return to the Netherlands is their highest priority, although they declined to provide further details due to the ongoing investigation.
Leijdekkers, who is also known by the nickname “Bolle Jos,” was previously believed to be residing in Turkey. However, it has now been confirmed that he is in Sierra Leone, a country in West Africa known to be a key transit point for drug trafficking from Latin America to Europe. A spokesperson for the Dutch Public Prosecution Service (OM) stated that Leijdekkers has been in Sierra Leone for at least half a year, but Sierra Leonean authorities have not yet commented on the matter.
The fugitive was reportedly spotted in Sierra Leone in January 2025. Reuters news agency reported that a video posted by the First Lady of Sierra Leone, who was attending a church service with her husband, showed Leijdekkers in the background. The BBC, however, has been unable to independently verify the footage. Despite the lack of confirmation, the sighting has further fueled suspicions about Leijdekkers’ presence in Sierra Leone.
Dutch law enforcement has described Leijdekkers as one of the key figures in international cocaine trafficking. He is wanted not only by Dutch authorities but also by Europol, the EU’s law enforcement agency, which lists him among the most-wanted criminals. In an effort to capture him, Dutch authorities are offering a significant reward of $210,000 (around £168,000) for any tips that lead to his arrest, making it the highest reward ever offered for a Dutch fugitive.
West Africa, where Sierra Leone is located, has long been a crucial hub in the global cocaine trade. The region serves as a major transit point for drugs smuggled from Latin America, bound for Europe and beyond. This trade has led to heightened attention on the area, with law enforcement agencies increasingly focused on cracking down on drug trafficking networks operating there.
In related news, Sierra Leone recently faced controversy over a cocaine trafficking incident involving its embassy in Guinea. On January 17, 2025, the Sierra Leonean government recalled its ambassador from Guinea after seven suitcases containing suspected cocaine were discovered in a vehicle belonging to the Sierra Leonean embassy. Guinean authorities impounded the vehicle and detained its occupants, suspecting them of involvement in drug trafficking. The Sierra Leonean Foreign Minister, Alhaji Musa Timothy Kabba, stated that the recalled ambassador was not in the vehicle at the time and was not under arrest. The government is continuing to investigate the incident.
The diplomatic scandal comes amid growing concerns about the role of West African nations in the global drug trade. While there is no evidence to suggest that the Sierra Leonean ambassador was directly involved in the cocaine trafficking operation, the discovery has raised questions about the extent to which drug cartels may be infiltrating diplomatic channels. In response to the incident, the Sierra Leonean government has emphasized its commitment to addressing the issue and ensuring accountability.
As for Leijdekkers, the hunt for him continues, with Dutch authorities determined to bring him to justice. The reward being offered for information about his whereabouts underscores the seriousness with which the Dutch government is pursuing his arrest. In the meantime, authorities in Sierra Leone are likely to face increasing scrutiny as the international community watches closely for any further developments related to drug trafficking in the region.
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