By George M.O. Williams
The Dutch authorities on the heels of the fugitive Jos Leijdekkers, wanted for drug smuggling and other crimes in Europe have sent an extradition request for his arrest and extradition to The Netherlands to the Sierra Leonean authorities.
The two countries, however, have no extradition treaty.
The Minister of Justice and Security of The Netherlands, David van Weel made a post on X that said: “Today the Dutch extradition request for convicted drug criminal Jos Leijdekkers was handed over to the authorities of Sierra Leone. I hope for swift action from the authorities of Sierra Leone and to find them on our side in this fight against international organized crime.”
Jos Leijdekkers, also known as “Bolle Jos,” is a Dutch drug trafficker with extensive ties to international criminal organizations. He has been one of the Netherlands’ most wanted criminals and is considered a key player in the European cocaine trade, with deep connections to South American cartels.
Leijdekkers’ criminal empire allegedly facilitated the smuggling of tons of cocaine into Europe through ports in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Spain. His operations reportedly generated hundreds of millions of euros in illicit profits, making him one of the most influential figures in European organized crime.
Despite multiple international arrest warrants and his addition to Interpol’s Red Notice list, Leijdekkers has managed to evade capture for years. He has used forged identities, secret safe houses, and the protection of other criminal syndicates to stay out of law enforcement’s reach. His ability to escape numerous crackdowns earned him a reputation as a “ghost fugitive” within law enforcement circles.