Dutch Kingpin’s Cocaine Empire

A record-breaking 30-tonne cocaine bust off West Africa’s coast reveals a sophisticated smuggling network led by Dutch drug kingpin Jos Leijdekkers, aka “Bolle Jos,” who’s been operating from Sierra Leone since 2022. With at least eight similar shipments since 2024, his crew uses a well-established route from Sierra Leone to Europe, leveraging fuel-laden ships like the Arconian to covertly transfer drugs via speedboats. Wanted in the Netherlands for murder and large-scale trafficking, Leijdekkers faces a 24-year sentence in absentia, while Dutch authorities attempt to apprehend him—twice so far, both failing. His ties to Sierra Leone’s political elite are now fueling international pressure, including potential aid cuts, as this operation exposes a deeply entrenched, cross-border criminal enterprise. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/5755dd37e66e8424