Wanted Dutch Drug Smuggler Jos Leijdekkers Identified in Sierra Leone

Dutch fugitive Jos Leijdekkers has been living in Sierra Leone for six months after being sentenced to 24 years for cocaine smuggling. He is one of Europe’s most-wanted criminals, with a $210,000 reward for his capture. Law enforcement agencies are prioritizing his arrest amid ongoing investigations into drug trafficking in West Africa.

Authorities in the Netherlands have identified 33-year-old Jos Leijdekkers, one of Europe’s most-wanted fugitives, as having resided in Sierra Leone for approximately six months. Convicted in absentia for smuggling over seven tonnes of cocaine, Leijdekkers was sentenced to 24 years in prison by a Rotterdam court last June. Dutch Prosecutor Wim de Bruin described his return as a critical objective for law enforcement. The authorities are presently engaged in an ongoing investigation regarding his whereabouts.

Jos Leijdekkers, also known by his nickname “Bolle Jos,” is regarded as a significant figure in international cocaine trafficking. His criminal activities positioned him on Europol’s most-wanted list, emphasizing the broader implications of drug smuggling in West Africa, a pivotal route for cocaine from Latin America. The Dutch authorities have intensified their efforts to apprehend him, culminating in the highest reward ever proposed in the Netherlands for his arrest.

In summary, Jos Leijdekkers remains a vital target for Dutch law enforcement due to his substantial criminal record in drug trafficking. With a significant reward for information leading to his arrest, authorities are actively collaborating to ensure he faces justice. The situation also underscores the challenges states like Sierra Leone face amid rising international drug trafficking issues.

Original Source: www.bbc.com