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CrimeQuiet 6d · day 6

Netherlands offers record €2M bounty for fugitive cocaine kingpin in Sierra Leone

Dutch prosecutors announce highest reward in history for capture of Jos Leijdekkers, who has evaded extradition from West Africa.

newest coverage 5d agosummary written 6d ago8 pieces NewswiresMastodonGoogle News

What to know

  • Dutch prosecutors announced a record €2 million bounty for Jos Leijdekkers, multiplying their previous offer 10-fold, marking the highest reward ever issued by Dutch authorities.
  • Leijdekkers, sentenced to 24 years in the Netherlands and 79 years in Belgium for cocaine smuggling and violence, has evaded capture by remaining in Sierra Leone, which refuses to extradite him.
  • The EU cut aid to Sierra Leone in response to its extradition refusal; Leijdekkers reportedly obtained a diplomatic passport after courting the president's daughter and investing heavily in the country's economy.
  • Dutch authorities estimate Leijdekkers has made tens of millions of euros from drug trafficking and suspect him of ordering at least 14 murders in Sierra Leone, with victims including high-ranking police officers.

“The reward has been increased from £167,000 (€200,000), as the Dutch authorities hope such a large sum will spur countries in Africa to share more information about Leijdekkers' whereabouts.”

Independent UK, Reporting outlet · Independent UK ↗

Jos Leijdekkers Convicted cocaine kingpin, Europe's most-wanted fugitiveDutch prosecutors Law enforcement and prosecution authoritiesSierra Leone government Host nation refusing extraditionEuropean Union Regional governance bodyWim de Bruin Dutch prosecutor

Netherlands offers record €2M bounty for fugitive cocaine kingpin in Sierra Leone
cbsnews.com

How it unfolded 2 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesposts

Peak 4 pieces in two hours at Nov 2, 7 AM; 8 pieces over 6 days (6 articles · 2 posts) Nov 2, 5 AM — 2 pieces · 2 articles — Newswires 2Nov 2, 7 AM — 4 pieces · 2 articles · 2 posts — Mastodon 2, Google News 1, Newswires 1Nov 2, 9 AM — quietNov 2, 11 AM — 2 pieces · 2 articles — Newswires 2Nov 2, 1 PM — quietNov 2, 3 PM — quietNov 2, 5 PM — quietNov 2, 7 PM — quietNov 2, 9 PM — quietNov 2, 11 PM — quietNov 3, 1 AM — quietNov 3, 3 AM — quietNov 3, 5 AM — quietNov 3, 7 AM — quietNov 3, 9 AM — quietNov 3, 11 AM — quietNov 3, 1 PM — quietNov 3, 3 PM — quietNov 3, 5 PM — quietNov 3, 7 PM — quietNov 3, 9 PM — quietNov 3, 11 PM — quietNov 4, 1 AM — quietNov 4, 3 AM — quietNov 4, 5 AM — quietNov 4, 7 AM — quietNov 4, 9 AM — quietNov 4, 11 AM — quietNov 4, 1 PM — quietNov 4, 3 PM — quietNov 4, 5 PM — quietNov 4, 7 PM — quietNov 4, 9 PM — quietNov 4, 11 PM — quietNov 5, 1 AM — quietNov 5, 3 AM — quietNov 5, 5 AM — quietNov 5, 7 AM — quietNov 5, 9 AM — quietNov 5, 11 AM — quietNov 5, 1 PM — quietNov 5, 3 PM — quietNov 5, 5 PM — quietNov 5, 7 PM — quietNov 5, 9 PM — quietNov 5, 11 PM — quietNov 6, 1 AM — quietNov 6, 3 AM — quietNov 6, 5 AM — quietNov 6, 7 AM — quietNov 6, 9 AM — quietNov 6, 11 AM — quietNov 6, 1 PM — quietNov 6, 3 PM — quietNov 6, 5 PM — quietNov 6, 7 PM — quietNov 6, 9 PM — quietNov 6, 11 PM — quietYesterday, 1 AM — quietYesterday, 3 AM — quietYesterday, 5 AM — quietYesterday, 7 AM — quietYesterday, 9 AM — quietYesterday, 11 AM — quietYesterday, 1 PM — quietYesterday, 3 PM — quietYesterday, 5 PM — quietYesterday, 7 PM — quietYesterday, 9 PM — quietYesterday, 11 PM — quietToday, 1 AM — quietToday, 3 AM — quietToday, 5 AM — quietToday, 7 AM — quietToday, 9 AM — quiet 1–2
Nov 3Nov 4Nov 5Nov 6yesterdaynow · 11:26 AM ET
  1. 2

    EU reportedly cut aid to Sierra Leone over extradition refusal

    European Union authorities responded to Sierra Leone's refusal to extradite Leijdekkers by reducing aid to the West African country, applying diplomatic pressure.

    “The arrest of Leijdekkers, also known as "Bolle Jos" ("Chubby Jos"), is "the highest priority for the Public Prosecution Service and the police."”
    — Dutch prosecutors, Law enforcement authorities · source
  2. 1

    Netherlands announces record €2 million bounty for Leijdekkers' capture

    Dutch prosecutors offered a €2 million reward—the highest bounty ever issued by Dutch authorities—for information leading to the arrest of cocaine kingpin Jos Leijdekkers, multiplying their previous €200,000 offer by ten.

    “The reward, the highest bounty ever offered by the Dutch authorities, is available to any person who provides the crucial tip leading to his arrest.”
    — Dutch prosecutors
    1. 1 outlet Record reward offered for capture of fugitive cocaine kingpin dubbed "Chubby Jos"

      first by CBS News, 6d ago

      1 more headline
    2. 1 outlet Dutch police offer record €2m reward in hunt for drug lord

      first by BBC, 5d ago

    2 more claims →
  3. background

    Dutch prosecutors declare Leijdekkers' capture 'highest priority' — Dutch prosecutor Wim de Bruin stated that the fugitive's return to the Netherlands was of 'the highest priority,' reflecting authorities' determination to apprehend him.

  4. background

    Belgian court sentences Leijdekkers to 79 years — In neighbouring Belgium, a court handed down a 79-year sentence against Leijdekkers, adding to his legal jeopardy across Europe.

  5. background

    Dutch court sentences Leijdekkers in absentia to 24 years — A Rotterdam court convicted Jos Leijdekkers in absentia of drug smuggling, armed robbery, and ordering a liquidation, sentencing him to 24 years in prison.

  6. background

    Leijdekkers arrives in Sierra Leone — The first recorded sighting of Leijdekkers in West Africa occurred in October 2022 when he arrived in Freetown, Sierra Leone's capital, in a six-vehicle convoy.