Police in Sierra Leone have launched a manhunt for Jos Leijdekkers, a notorious Dutch drug trafficker currently one of Europe’s most wanted fugitives, believed to be hiding in the west African nation. The urgency of the search comes after the country’s First Lady, Fatima Bio, inadvertently raised alarms by posting on social media images and a video depicting a man strikingly similar to Leijdekkers attending a religious service with President Julius Maada Bio. The event took place in Tihun on January 1, 2025, adding a surprising twist to a complicated fugitive saga.
- Dutch drug trafficker Jos Leijdekkers on the run
- Sentenced to 24 years for cocaine trafficking
- Links to First Lady's social media posts
- Europol offers €200,000 reward for information
- Leijdekkers involved in woman's disappearance
- West Africa is a cocaine trafficking hub
The 33-year-old Leijdekkers, who bears aliases including “Omar Sheriff” and “Bolle Jos,” was sentenced in absentia to an impressive 24 years in prison by a Rotterdam court in June 2022, for orchestrating the transport of seven tons of cocaine and for ordering a murder. As the inspector general of Sierra Leone’s national police, William Fayia Sellu, stated at a recent news conference, “A police man-hunt has been launched to arrest him, visiting several locations, but he has not been found yet.”
Leijdekkers is now on Europol’s most-wanted list, which highlights his significant role in international cocaine trafficking. Authorities describe him as a key player in a network that has been responsible for moving large quantities of drugs from Latin America into Europe via West Africa—an area known for serving as a critical transit point in the drug trade.
The investigation into Leijdekkers escalated dramatically following revelations involving Naima Jillal, a woman who vanished in 2019 after entering a car in Amsterdam. Europol’s investigations hinted that Leijdekkers might have played a part in her disappearance. Intercepted communications reportedly indicate that he was closely involved, raising chilling implications. According to Europol, “For a long time, there was no trace of Naima Jillal until photos of a woman believed to be her were discovered on a phone seized during the Marengo investigation.” These images suggested that she might have faced horrific circumstances, possibly leading to her death.
As the shades of illicit drug trafficking and mysterious crime converge in this case, Leijdekkers’ attempts to evade capture seem increasingly precarious. Following the recent discovery of seven suitcases filled with suspected cocaine in an embassy vehicle in Sierra Leone, the authorities have heightened their focus on the region’s drug complications. The Sierra Leonean government was compelled to recall their ambassador from Guinea in response to this incident, marking a significant moment in maintaining their national integrity against drug offenses.
Authorities are keenly aware of the public safety stakes involved. Dutch prosecutor Wim de Bruin emphasized the importance of Leijdekkers’ apprehension, declaring the fugitive’s return to the Netherlands as “the highest priority.” To aid in this endeavor, Europol has offered a substantial reward of 200,000 euros (approximately $208,000) for information leading to Leijdekkers’ arrest, a clear indication of the considerable resources being allocated to this case.
As this high-stakes manhunt unfolds, the road ahead remains uncertain. With authorities vigilant and the international implications still rippling, Leijdekkers’ fate hangs in the balance, reflecting a broader narrative that intertwines local law enforcement efforts with global drug trafficking dynamics. The pursuit of justice continues, as police and investigators work tirelessly to ensure that this fugitive does not slip further into the shadows.
