Sierra Leone News

Dutch drug lord Jos Leijdekkers, known as "Bolle Jos," has been located in Sierra Leone after years of being one of Europe's most wanted criminals. The 33-year-old has been a key figure in the international cocaine trade and has been evading capture since at least last year, when he was sentenced in absentia to 24 years in prison for smuggling nearly seven tons of cocaine and ordering a murder in the Netherlands. Leijdekkers was reportedly spotted alongside the president of Sierra Leone and has been linked to substantial profits from cocaine smuggling through ports in Rotterdam and Antwerp. Dutch authorities have placed a €200,000 reward for information leading to his arrest. Despite confirming his whereabouts, extraditing Leijdekkers back to the Netherlands may prove difficult. Sierra Leone does not have an extradition treaty with the Netherlands, and there are concerns that he may have acquired citizenship in the country. Sierra Leone, rich in natural resources like diamonds and gold, remains one of the least developed countries globally and is ranked 108th out of 180 in Transparency International's corruption index. The country's coastal areas serve as critical points for drug trafficking from South America to Europe.

Sierra Leone has recalled its ambassador to Guinea following the discovery of seven suitcases containing suspected cocaine in an embassy vehicle. Guinean authorities seized the vehicle on Monday and detained its occupants for questioning regarding their possession of the substances. Sierra Leone's Foreign Minister, Alhaji Musa Timothy Kabba, confirmed the recall of Ambassador Mr. Alimamy Bangura to Freetown for a comprehensive briefing on the incident. The minister emphasized that the ambassador was not in the vehicle at the time and is not under arrest, asserting that there is no evidence linking him directly to the trafficking. Alongside the suitcases, approximately $2,000 in cash was also found, although details regarding the weight of the suspected drugs were not disclosed. Kabba noted that both countries are engaged in a cooperative investigation, and he vowed that those found guilty of violating drug trafficking laws will face serious legal repercussions. West Africa remains a significant transit route for cocaine moving from Latin America to European markets, while local consumption of various drugs, including a potent substance known as Kush, has been rising. In light of increasing concerns over drug abuse, which President Julius Maada Bio called a national emergency last year, there are calls from local communities for stronger government action to address drug-related issues.