The Netherlands is seeking Ghana’s cooperation to dismantle drug trafficking networks allegedly linked to fugitive Dutch national Jos Leijdekkers, popularly known as Bolle Jos, who is believed to be hiding in Sierra Leone.
Dutch Minister of Justice and Security David van Weel is backing efforts to engage Ghanaian authorities in disrupting the supply routes associated with the convicted drug trafficker, according to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.
The precise nature of Ghana’s expected involvement remains under discussion, but the report suggests that the cooperation could involve the deployment of Dutch police officers to the country.
Leijdekkers has been sentenced to more than 80 years in prison in the Netherlands and Belgium for drug trafficking and related offences. He is believed to be living in Sierra Leone, where reports have linked him to influential figures, including members of the president’s family.
The latest efforts to dismantle his alleged network follow the seizure of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine by French customs officials at the Port of Dunkirk in September 2026.
The cocaine was reportedly concealed in a container carrying recycled plastic waste originating from Ghana. The consignment was estimated to have a street value of about US$260 million.
Four Ghanaian nationals have since appeared before the High Court in Accra in connection with the seizure. One of the accused, Desmond Koranteng Curiel, has been identified in reports as a suspected Ghana-based operative allegedly linked to Leijdekkers’ network.
The four accused persons have pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to export narcotic drugs and exportation of narcotic drugs.
Ghana’s Narcotics Control Commission has maintained that the country will not be allowed to serve as a safe haven or transit route for international drug trafficking operations.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands has been seeking Leijdekkers’ extradition from Sierra Leone for several months, but efforts to secure his transfer have yet to succeed.
Pressure on Sierra Leone has also intensified at the European level. The European Commission has suspended €18 million in budget support to the country, while the Netherlands is seeking to have an additional €22.5 million earmarked for 2027 withheld if Leijdekkers is not handed over.
The Dutch government is also pursuing further measures through European institutions to freeze his assets and restrict his movements.
Beyond Sierra Leone and Ghana, the Netherlands is seeking cooperation from other African countries as it intensifies efforts to track down the fugitive, target individuals suspected of helping him evade arrest and disrupt the drug trafficking networks allegedly associated with him.
