Dutch Drug Baron ‘Bolle’ Jos Leijdekkers Sentenced to 13 Years in Absentia
‘Bolle’ Jos Leijdekkers, a Dutch drug baron, has received a 13-year prison sentence in absentia for planning a failed theft of 10 tonnes of cocaine. He is currently believed to be hiding in Sierra Leone, where extradition requests from the Netherlands have been declined. The trial included multiple defendants, with varying sentences handed down.
A recent report by The Brussels Times indicates that ‘Bolle’ Jos Leijdekkers, a prominent Dutch drug baron, has been sentenced in absentia to 13 years in prison by the Antwerp correctional court for orchestrating a failed heist involving ten tonnes of cocaine. This notorious figure, deemed the most wanted person in the Netherlands, remains elusive while believed to be hiding in Sierra Leone.
The trial included 19 defendants, resulting in varied sentences; two were acquitted, while seven accomplices received ten-year sentences. The incident, which unfolded in October 2023, saw customs authorities uncover a €250 million cocaine shipment hidden in soy flour. The plan to steal the shipment was executed poorly, leading to an armed intervention by the police.
After discovering an empty warehouse in Kalmthout intended for the drugs, armed thieves threatened two individuals in an unsuccessful attempt to seize the contraband. Police swiftly intervened, apprehending seven armed men in a suspicious vehicle. Investigators linked Leijdekkers to this operation, noting that he is allegedly married to the daughter of Sierra Leone’s president.
The Public Prosecutor expressed grave concerns about the potential violence that could have erupted had the armed gang found the drugs. The judge characterized the gang’s recklessness, emphasizing the potential for catastrophic consequences had a gunfight ensued. Despite the sentence, Leijdekkers is unlikely to worry, as he has previously received a total of 24 years for his involvement in drug trafficking and a murder contract.
Authorities confirmed last month that Leijdekkers is residing in Sierra Leone, where he is suspected of acquiring citizenship. The Sierra Leonean government has rejected an extradition request from the Netherlands, while investigations by local law enforcement continue, according to government statements.
In conclusion, ‘Bolle’ Jos Leijdekkers has been sentenced to an additional 13 years in absentia for his role in a planned cocaine theft. Despite being a wanted criminal, he remains in Sierra Leone, where extradition to the Netherlands has been declined. The ongoing investigations highlight the complexities of international drug trafficking and law enforcement efforts to tackle such organized crime.
Original Source: www.thesierraleonetelegraph.com
