The Netherlands has stepped up diplomatic efforts to pressure Sierra Leone to arrest fugitive drug trafficking suspect Jos Leijdekkers, seeking support from neighbouring West African countries to help secure his apprehension.
According to nltimes, the Dutch drug trafficker colloquially called Bolle Jos is known to be living in Sierra Leone, but attempts to get him extradited have so far proven fruitless.
During a visit to Ghana, Minister David van Weel of Justice and Security started working on a coalition of West African countries to pressure Sierra Leone. “We want to make countries in the region aware of the danger this man poses,” the VVD Minister told the newspaper.
The Minister previously pointed out that Leijdekkers’ estimated income is higher than Sierra Leone’s gross national product. “That will naturally corrupt such a country completely,” he said on the program Binnenhof in June. Van Weel told the Telegraaf that countries like Liberia and Ghana are aware of the risks and are frustrated by their neighbor’s refusal to get rid of Bolle Jos.
According to Van Weel, the Netherlands’ efforts are having an effect. Sierra Leone’s Justice Minister has reached out for a meeting. Van Weel said he senses “a willingness to talk” from Sierra Leone, but not yet “the willingness to take concrete steps.”
Jos Leijdekkers is the most wanted criminal in the Netherlands. He surfaced in Sierra Leone last year. He is reported to be in a romantic relationship with the president’s daughter, making attempts to get him extradited more complicated.
Following a failed secret operation to try to arrest him in the West African country, the Netherlands has turned its attention back to diplomacy. In addition to approaching other West African countries for help, the Dutch government also asked the European Union to cut its development subsidies to Sierra Leone. The EU has allocated €325 million in subsidies to Sierra Leone for the period 2021 to 2027. The country also benefits from regional and international EU programs.
Leijjkdekkers has been sentenced to a combined 81 years in prison in the Netherlands and Belgium for drug trafficking and related crimes, including coordinating assassinations and money laundering. He is also linked to a recent record drug seizure near the Canary Islands. The Spanish police intercepted a ship with over 30,000 kilograms of cocaine on board.
