Netherlands Turns to Ghana in Bid to Track Down ‘Bolle Jos’
Aminata Koroma The Dutch Government has enlisted the support of Ghanaian authorities in efforts to track down Jos Leijdekkers, alias “Bolle Jos”, one of Europe’s most wanted drug traffickers, who is believed to be living in Sierra Leone.
According to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, the move forms part of a new strategy led by Dutch Minister of Justice and Security David van Weel to disrupt Leijdekkers’ drug supply networks and weaken his operations across West Africa and Europe.
Under the proposed plan, the Netherlands will support the Ghanaian Police Service in efforts to dismantle the cocaine trafficking route from South America through West Africa to Europe. The precise nature of the assistance is still being discussed, with the possible deployment of Dutch police officers to Ghana among the options being considered.
De Telegraaf reports that the Dutch Government hopes to have Leijdekkers in custody within a year. The newspaper also indicates that the Ghana initiative is part of a broader campaign to increase pressure on Sierra Leone over the fugitive’s alleged presence in the country.
Leijdekkers, 34, from Breda in the Netherlands, is considered one of the country’s major drug traffickers. In June 2024, he was sentenced in absentia to 24 years in prison for large-scale cocaine trafficking, armed robbery and murder. He is also listed among Europol’s Most Wanted fugitives. Nicknamed “Bolle Jos”, meaning “Chubby Jos”, he is accused of overseeing a major cocaine import operation originating in South America.
Since early 2025, Dutch and international media outlets, including AD and NOS, have published photographs and videos allegedly showing Leijdekkers attending events in Sierra Leone, including occasions where high-level officials were reportedly present. Some reports have also alleged that he received protection in the country.
The Government of Sierra Leone has consistently denied having knowledge of his presence or providing him with state protection. In January 2025, the government announced that it was investigating the allegations and would cooperate with international partners. However, no arrest has been announced to date.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands has reportedly been pursuing Leijdekkers’ extradition for months. Earlier this year, reports emerged that the Dutch Government had lobbied the European Commission to suspend development assistance to Sierra Leone. The Commission, however, maintained that any pause in aid was linked to administrative and public financial management concerns rather than the Leijdekkers case.
According to De Telegraaf, the Dutch Government is expected to announce additional measures aimed at pressuring Sierra Leone and restricting Leijdekkers’ movements and financial activities across Europe.
The newspaper also quoted a source as saying that Leijdekkers is still permitted to enter the Netherlands on a one-time basis under a legal arrangement that would allow him to arrange his surrender without being arrested for other crimes.
Efforts to secure his extradition are further complicated by the absence of a formal extradition treaty between Sierra Leone and the Netherlands.
The Ministry of Communication and the Sierra Leone Police have yet to comment on the latest reports concerning the Netherlands’ proposed cooperation with Ghanaian authorities.