Inside the alleged cocaine empire of Dutch fugitive 'Bolle Jos' in Sierra Leone

Dutch national Jos Leijdekkers, one of Europe’s most wanted drug traffickers, has allegedly built an extensive cocaine network in Sierra Leone, forging close ties with influential figures in the country’s political and security establishment.

A recent investigation by The Economist claims that Leijdekkers has, over the past five years, helped turn Sierra Leone into a major transit point for Colombian cocaine destined for Europe.

How wanted Dutch drug lord Bolle Jos lived in Sierra Leone with Ghanaian bodyguards

The report alleges that billions of dollars’ worth of cocaine pass through the West African country each year, with some shipments disguised as legitimate commodities such as rice and plantain chips.

Leijdekkers, also known as “Bolle Jos”, has been wanted by European authorities for several years over his involvement in international drug trafficking.

According to The Economist, however, his alleged activities in Sierra Leone go beyond moving cocaine.

The investigation claims that Leijdekkers has channeled part of the proceeds from the drug trade to members of Sierra Leone’s political elite and has funded parts of the state, giving him access to people and institutions that would ordinarily be beyond the reach of a fugitive criminal.

The Economist also reports that he is believed to have obtained a Sierra Leonean diplomatic passport.

The report further alleges that elements of the police and military establishment have provided him with protection, while he has at times been seen travelling with presidential security personnel.

The investigation describes an alleged network involving container ships and other vessels operating along Sierra Leone’s coastline.

From European fugitive to powerful figure in Sierra Leone

Leijdekkers’ rise in Sierra Leone followed years of pursuit by European law enforcement agencies.

He fled Europe in 2020 as investigations into his alleged involvement in large-scale cocaine trafficking intensified.

Dutch authorities later established that he was living in Sierra Leone and have sought his return to the Netherlands.

He was sentenced in absentia in the Netherlands to 24 years in prison for drug trafficking and related offences, while Belgian courts have also convicted him in separate cocaine-trafficking cases.

Dutch authorities have offered a €200,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.

Despite the international manhunt, The Economist’s investigation suggests that Leijdekkers has been able to establish himself in Sierra Leone and cultivate relationships with powerful people.

The report says his precise location has remained difficult to establish, although he has been spotted in and around Freetown.

Cocaine disguised as ordinary goods

A major part of the alleged operation involves moving cocaine through legitimate commercial shipments.

The Economist reports that cocaine from Colombia is allegedly concealed in consignments containing commodities such as rice and plantain chips before being transported towards Europe.

The investigation also examines alleged efforts to replace or disguise drugs in shipments in order to evade detection.

The scale of the alleged trade has placed Sierra Leone in the middle of an international cocaine route linking South America, West Africa and Europe.

In May 2026, Spanish authorities seized about 30 tonnes of cocaine from the cargo vessel Arconia, which had departed from Freetown and was bound for Libya.

European investigators suspected that Leijdekkers was connected to the shipment, although that allegation has not been established against him in court.

Diplomatic passport claim

One of the most striking claims in The Economist investigation is that Leijdekkers is believed to hold a Sierra Leonean diplomatic passport.

The issue of diplomatic passports has previously attracted scrutiny in connection with the fugitive.

In October 2025, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernoh Bah, said the government was investigating claims surrounding the issuance of diplomatic passports to criminals.

He said the government would not knowingly issue a passport to a criminal and confirmed that authorities were working with Dutch officials on efforts to secure Leijdekkers’ extradition. ([The Sierra Leone Telegraph][1])

Links to Sierra Leone’s political elite

The investigation has also drawn attention to Leijdekkers’ reported relationship with Agnes Bio, the daughter of Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio.

According to the investigation, Leijdekkers was seen with Agnes Bio at a religious service in Sierra Leone in January 2025.

A wanted man who remains elusive

Leijdekkers’ exact whereabouts have remained difficult to establish.

The Economist reports that he has moved between heavily guarded locations around Freetown and has maintained a low public profile despite reports of sightings.

His alleged ability to operate from Sierra Leone has raised questions about the extent of his connections within the country.

JKB/EB

#TrendingGH: We Even Insult God, How Much More Mahama? – Ghanaians Debate Free Speech & Online Hate