Jos Leijdekkers. Bolle Jos. Omar Sherif. These are names associated with one of Europe’s most wanted Dutch fugitives, whose alleged cocaine trafficking network has links stretching from West Africa to Europe.

Leijdekkers, popularly known as “Bolle Jos” and also identified in reports as Omar Sherif, has been linked to a major cocaine trafficking network allegedly operating across West Africa and Europe.

His name has now emerged in connection with a major cocaine shipment originating from Ghana and seized in France, bringing renewed attention to the network he is alleged to operate in the region.

Ghana cocaine shipment

French customs officials seized about 3.9 tonnes of cocaine at the port of Dunkirk on September 10, 2026. In weight terms, the nearly 4-tonne cocaine haul is equivalent to about 80 bags of the standard 50kg cement sold in Ghana.

The drugs, with an estimated street value of €225 million, were concealed in a container carrying plastic waste that originated from Ghana and was reportedly partly destined for Antwerp, Belgium.

The seizure has raised fresh questions about the routes allegedly used to move cocaine from West Africa to European markets and Leijdekkers’ possible role in the wider trafficking network.

Ghana’s Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) subsequently arrested four suspects allegedly linked to Leijdekkers’ activities in Ghana.

According to NACOC, the arrests followed the seizure in France, with investigators working to establish the suspects’ alleged roles in the trafficking operation and their connections to the wider network.

From Ghana and Sierra Leone to Europe

Leijdekkers, also referred to as Omar Sherif in reports, is believed to have established extensive links across West Africa, with investigations previously connecting him to major cocaine shipments bound for Europe.

In one major case, investigators identified him as the suspected coordinator of a shipment involving more than 30 tonnes of cocaine seized by Spanish authorities after it left Freetown, Sierra Leone.

The case revealed the alleged use of West African ports as departure points for large cocaine consignments heading towards Europe.

The latest seizure in France has now placed Ghana at the centre of another investigation into the movement of cocaine from West Africa to the European market.

Authorities are seeking to establish how the shipment moved from Ghana, the individuals involved in facilitating it and its alleged connection to Leijdekkers’ wider network.

Reported relationship with Sierra Leone president’s daughter

Leijdekkers is also reportedly in a relationship with Agnes Bio, a daughter of Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio, and the couple are reported to have a child.

The relationship has attracted attention because Leijdekkers is believed to be hiding in Sierra Leone, while Dutch authorities continue efforts to secure his arrest and extradition.

He has been convicted in absentia in the Netherlands and Belgium over serious drug-trafficking offences.

The reported relationship has also generated questions about how Leijdekkers has continued to operate from the region. However, the relationship itself does not establish any involvement by President Bio or his government in Leijdekkers’ alleged criminal activities.

Dutch operation reportedly called off

Recently, the Netherlands reportedly prepared an operation involving special police and naval forces to intercept Leijdekkers at sea in West Africa.

According to De Telegraaf, the operation was called off at the last minute.

At the time, Dutch Interior Minister David van Weel was asked about the reported operation during an appearance on Buitenhof but declined to comment.

The many faces of Bolle Jos

The different names associated with Leijdekkers have added another dimension to the international search for the fugitive.

Known in the Netherlands as Jos Leijdekkers and widely referred to as “Bolle Jos,” he has also been identified in reports as Omar Sherif.

Behind those names is an alleged network that investigators have linked to cocaine movements from West Africa towards Europe.

The Ghana-origin shipment has therefore added another European drug-trafficking investigation involving Leijdekkers and his alleged network.

With cocaine reportedly moving from West African countries such as Ghana and Sierra Leone towards Europe, investigators are examining the people, routes and logistics allegedly used to facilitate the shipments.

Additionally, the arrests in Ghana and the seizure in France could provide authorities with further leads into how the network allegedly operates across West Africa and connects to the European cocaine market.

With additional files from NL Times and De Telegraaf

MA