By : Lloyd Mahachi
Dutch authorities have confirmed that one of Europe’s most-wanted fugitives, Jos Leijdekkers, has been living in Sierra Leone for approximately six months.
Leijdekkers, 33, was sentenced in absentia to 24 years in prison by a Rotterdam court for smuggling over seven tonnes of cocaine. This significant sentence reflects the severity of his crimes and the impact of his actions on international drug trafficking.
According to Dutch prosecutor Wim de Bruin, bringing Leijdekkers back to the Netherlands is of the “highest priority.” However, de Bruin declined to comment further due to the ongoing investigation.
A spokesperson for the Dutch Public Prosecution Service revealed that Leijdekkers is known by the nickname “Bolle Jos” and was previously suspected to be living in Turkey. This new information has shed light on Leijdekkers’ attempts to evade capture and his potential connections to other countries.
Reuters reported that Leijdekkers was spotted in Sierra Leone in January, attending a church service with President Julius Maada Bio and his wife. Although Sierra Leonean authorities have not commented on the claims, this sighting has raised concerns about Leijdekkers’ potential connections to high-ranking officials in the country.
Dutch police have described Leijdekkers as “one of the key players in international cocaine trafficking”. This designation highlights the significance of his role in the global drug trade and the need for his immediate capture.
A significant reward of $210,000 is being offered for information leading to Leijdekkers’ arrest, the highest amount ever offered for a Dutch fugitive. This substantial reward reflects the urgency of the situation and the desire to bring Leijdekkers to justice as soon as possible.
Leijdekkers is listed as one of the most-wanted fugitives by Europol, the EU’s law enforcement agency. This listing has facilitated international cooperation in the search for Leijdekkers and has increased the pressure on him to surrender.
West Africa, particularly Sierra Leone, has become a major transit point for cocaine trafficking from Latin America. The region’s vulnerability to drug trafficking was highlighted when seven suitcases containing suspected cocaine were found in an embassy vehicle in Guinea.
The incident led to Sierra Leone recalling its ambassador from Guinea, and Foreign Minister Alhaji Musa Timothy Kabba stated that the ambassador was not involved in the trafficking. However, the situation has raised concerns about the involvement of high-ranking officials in drug trafficking activities.
Leijdekkers’ presence in Sierra Leone has sparked widespread concern, with many calling for his immediate arrest and extradition. The Dutch authorities are working tirelessly to bring him to justice, and the international community is urging Sierra Leone to cooperate in apprehending the fugitive.
The capture of Leijdekkers would be a significant blow to international drug trafficking networks and would send a strong message about the consequences of engaging in such activities. As the search for Leijdekkers continues, it is essential that all relevant authorities work together to ensure his swift capture and extradition.
Editor : Josephine Mahachi