Authorities in the Netherlands have reported that one of Europe’s most notorious drug traffickers, Jos Leijdekkers, is believed to be residing in Sierra Leone. Leijdekkers, 33, has reportedly been living there for the past six months.

On June 25 of the previous year, Leijdekkers was sentenced to 24 years in prison in absentia by a court in Rotterdam after being convicted for the smuggling of over seven tonnes of cocaine.

Dutch prosecutor Wim de Bruin emphasized the importance of apprehending Leijdekkers, stating, “His return to the Netherlands is of the highest priority.” He assured that efforts are ongoing, but declined to provide further details due to the sensitive nature of the investigation.

A spokesperson from the Dutch Public Prosecution Service confirmed that Leijdekkers was in Sierra Leone, noting that he was previously thought to be living in Turkey. Information surfaced about his whereabouts after he was spotted in a social media video that featured the wife of Sierra Leone’s president attending a church service.

Dutch law enforcement has identified Leijdekkers as a significant figure in the international cocaine trade. To aid in his capture, a reward of $210,000 has been offered, marking it as one of the highest sums for a fugitive within the Dutch jurisdiction. Leijdekkers is also on Europol’s list of most-wanted individuals.

Sierra Leone is increasingly recognized as a key transit point for cocaine trafficking, particularly from Latin America. This has raised concerns following a recent incident in which seven suitcases containing alleged cocaine were discovered in a diplomatic vehicle belonging to Sierra Leone’s embassy in Guinea.

As investigations continue, the international effort to track down Leijdekkers highlights the ongoing challenges in combating drug trafficking networks operating through West Africa.