Latest news with #JosLeijdekkers
CBS News
3 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Dutch prosecutors seek record $250 million from fugitive drug lord believed to be hiding over 4,000 miles away
Dutch prosecutors said Monday they were seeking to confiscate a record $253 million from one of Europe's most notorious drug lords, thought to be hiding in Sierra Leone. The illegal assets amassed by Jos Leijdekkers, also known as "Bolle Jos" or "Chubby Jos," were proceeds from cocaine trafficking, as well as purchases of gold and luxury items, the public prosecutors said. Leijdekkers is thought to have made 114 million euros from 14 cocaine shipments over less than a year. According to intercepted communications, the 33-year-old also spent 47 million euros on 975 kilograms of gold over less than six months. The kingpin additionally bought real estate including a hotel in Turkey and apartments in Dubai, the prosecutors alleged. Luxury goods including two Bentley cars, designer bags, jewellery and watches, were also added to the total of illicit assets, bringing the total to $253 million. "This is... only a first step towards tracing Leijdekkers' assets," the prosecutors said. Convicted cocaine smuggler Jos Leijdekkers attends a church service in Tihun, Sierra Leone, January 1, 2025, in this screen grab obtained from a social media video. First Lady Fatima Maada Bio via Facebook/via REUTERS A Rotterdam court last June sentenced Leijdekkers in absentia to 24 years in prison for ordering a murder and organizing cocaine shipments. He is on Europol's most-wanted list, with the European police body offering over $225,000 for information leading to his arrest. "Leijdekkers is considered to be one of the key players in international cocaine trafficking," according to Europol. In January, Dutch authorities said they were "absolutely certain" he was hiding out in Sierra Leone. The BBC reported that Dutch prosecutor Wim de Bruin said the fugitive's return to the Netherlands was of "the highest priority." Images apparently showing Leijdekkers in the company of officials as high as President Julius Maada Bio have sparked speculation the cocaine lord has cozied up to Sierra Leone's political class -- including the president's daughter. Suspicions he was in Sierra Leone arose after the country's First Lady Fatima Bio posted pictures and a video on social media that showed a man strongly resembling Leijdekkers at a religious service, also attended by President Bio. Exiled Sierra Leone opposition figure Mohamed Mansaray has accused Bio and his government of "offering refuge" to the drug lord. According to Mansaray, Leijdekkers has coupled up with the president's daughter Agnes Bio, who is seen accompanying the drug lord in the images. Leijdekkers is also believed to be involved in the disappearance and death of Naima Jillal, a woman who went missing in 2019 after she got into a car in Amsterdam, according to Europol. Intercepted messages allegedly showed that Leijdekkers "played an important role in Jillal's disappearance," the agency said. "For a long time, there was no trace of Naima Jillal, until photos of a woman believed to be her were found on a phone seized in the Marengo investigation," Europol said. "The photos show that she was most likely tortured and is probably no longer alive."
Reuters
06-02-2025
- Reuters
Netherlands asks Sierra Leone to extradite convicted drug criminal
THE HAGUE, Feb 6 (Reuters) - The Netherlands has sent and extradition request to the authorities of Sierra Leone for convicted drug criminal Jos Leijdekkers, Dutch Justice Minister David van Weel said on his X account on Thursday. "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," van Weel said. One of Europe's most wanted fugitives, cocaine smuggler Jos Leijdekkers, has found refuge and high-level protection in Sierra Leone, according to three sources with direct knowledge of the matter as well as photos and video footage seen by Reuters. Advertisement · Scroll to continue Report this ad Sierra Leone's information ministry said late last month that it was investigating media reports that Leijdekkers is in the country and benefiting from high-level protection there.
The Guardian
27-01-2025
- The Guardian
One of Europe's most-wanted drug traffickers living in Sierra Leone, say Dutch prosecutors
One of Europe's most wanted men, the Dutch crime boss Jos Leijdekkers, is hiding out in Sierra Leone, Dutch prosecutors have said. The statement came after Dutch media published footage that appeared to show the violent drug trafficker at a New Year's Day church service seated close to Sierra Leone's presidential family. Sierra Leone's information office said it was investigating reports that he was benefiting from high-level protection. Leijdekkers, who is on the Netherlands' and Europol's most wanted list, was sentenced in absentia by a Rotterdam court last June to 24 years in prison for six drug transports totalling 7,000kg of cocaine, an armed robbery in Finland and ordering murder. Last September a Belgian court sentenced him to 10 years in prison for drug trafficking offences and assault. Dutch police also suspect his involvement in the disappearance and suspected murder and torture of Naima Jilal, a woman who disappeared in Amsterdam in 2019. Dutch journalists revealed that the 33-year-old was hiding out in Sierra Leone and published a video showing a man believed to be Leijdekkers at a church service seated two rows behind Sierra Leone's president, Julius Maada Bio. The Reuters news agency, which verified the video, reported that Leijdekkers was sitting next to a woman who was Bio's daughter, Agnes, and said to be married to Leijdekkers. The relationship has not been confirmed by Reuters or the Dutch prosecutor's office. In a statement, the Sierra Leonean ministry said the country's police were ready to collaborate with the Dutch government, Interpol and other international law enforcement agencies. The statement said the country's president 'attended numerous family events during the festive season' and 'has no knowledge about the identity and the issues detailed in the reports about the individual in question'. Sierra Leone is suspected of being a shipment point for large volumes of Latin American cocaine headed to Europe. Leijdekkers, one of the main players in the international cocaine trade, is also guilty of laundering tens of millions of euros and hundreds of kilos of gold, according to his entry on the EU's most wanted list. In a statement, Dutch prosecutors said he had been staying in Sierra Leone for at least six months and the highest priority was to get him to the Netherlands to serve his sentence. A reward of €200,000 (£168,430) has been offered for decisive information that leads to his arrest. In a separate development on Monday it emerged that the former Belgian national team footballer Radja Nainggolan has been arrested in connection with an investigation into cocaine trafficking into Europe. The cocaine was allegedly trafficked through the Port of Antwerp, the Brussels public prosecutor's office said in an official statement, adding that 30 house searches had been carried out on Monday as part of the investigation. As is usual practice, it did not name the suspect, but used his initials. Nainggolan's name was reported by local media. Reached by Le Soir on Monday morning, a lawyer for the footballer, who plays for the Belgian club Lokeren-Temse, said he was on his way to meet his client and had no specific information about the accusations.
Yahoo
26-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sierra Leone says investigating reports that Dutch drug kingpin took refuge in country
FREETOWN (Reuters) - Sierra Leone's information ministry said on Sunday it was investigating media reports that European cocaine kingpin Jos Leijdekkers is in the country and benefitting from high-level protection there. In a statement, the ministry said the country's police were ready to collaborate with the Dutch government, Interpol and other international law enforcement agencies about the case. Videos and photos verified by Reuters of a church mass in Sierra Leone on Jan. 1, 2025 show Leijdekkers, a Dutch national, sitting two rows behind Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. The statement from the Sierra Leone's ministry said the president "attended numerous family events during the festive season" and "has no knowledge about the identity and the issues detailed in the reports about the individual in question."
Reuters
26-01-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Sierra Leone says investigating reports that Dutch drug kingpin took refuge in country
FREETOWN, Jan 26 (Reuters) - Sierra Leone's information ministry said on Sunday it was investigating media reports that European cocaine kingpin Jos Leijdekkers is in the country and benefitting from high-level protection there. In a statement, the ministry said the country's police were ready to collaborate with the Dutch government, Interpol and other international law enforcement agencies about the case. Videos and photos verified by Reuters of a church mass in Sierra Leone on Jan. 1, 2025 show Leijdekkers, a Dutch national, sitting two rows behind Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio. The statement from the Sierra Leone's ministry said the president "attended numerous family events during the festive season" and "has no knowledge about the identity and the issues detailed in the reports about the individual in question."
