Dutch police offer record €2m reward in hunt for drug lord
Summary
Dutch authorities are offering a record €2 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Jos Leijdekkers, a fugitive accused of major cocaine trafficking and other crimes. Prosecutors say his capture is a top priority; he is believed to be in Sierra Leone, which has not cooperated with Dutch extradition requests.Key Facts
- The reward was increased ten-fold to €2 million, according to Dutch authorities.
- Dutch police describe Leijdekkers as a key figure in international cocaine trafficking.
- Europol lists Leijdekkers among Europe’s most-wanted fugitives.
- Dutch police said in January 2025 that he was believed to be living in Sierra Leone under the name Omar Sherrif.
- A Rotterdam court sentenced Leijdekkers in absentia to 24 years in prison in 2024 for smuggling more than seven metric tons of cocaine.
- He has also been sentenced to 79 years in prison in Belgium.
- Dutch authorities accuse him of money laundering and involvement in extreme violence.
- The EU cut some aid to Sierra Leone after it refused to cooperate with Dutch extradition requests.
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