Dutch national Jos Leijdekkers, one of Europe’s most wanted criminals, has allegedly established a major cocaine trafficking operation in Sierra Leone, according to an investigation by The Economist.

The report published on September 18, 2026, indicated that Leijdekkers moved to Sierra Leone in late 2022 and operated in the country under the name Omar Sheriff, presenting himself as a Turkish investor.

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He reportedly lived a wealthy lifestyle in Freetown, travelled in expensive vehicles, and was seen meeting government officials.

He is also said to give cash and rice to residents in communities around the capital.

Furthermore, his identity became known after a video taken at a church service in the village of Tihun on New Year’s Day 2025 showed him sitting near President Julius Maada Bio.

Dutch journalists said that they later identified the man as Leijdekkers, also known as “Chubby Jos”.

Yelle Tieleman, an investigative journalist who helped report the discovery, described the revelation as shocking.

“This can’t be true. Jos Leijdekkers has been there this whole time? Hiding in plain sight?” he said.

The Economist investigation said Sierra Leone has become an important route for cocaine moving from Latin America to Europe.

It reported that about one-third of the cocaine reaching Europe is now estimated to pass through West Africa, with countries including Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and Cape Verde serving as key routes.

Sierra Leone’s location between Guinea-Bissau and Côte d’Ivoire has also made it attractive to traffickers.

The report alleges that Leijdekkers used his wealth and connections to build influence in Sierra Leone, including through payments to people in positions of power.

It further claims that cocaine shipments were moved through the country's ports and along its coastline before being transported towards Europe.

The investigation also reported that Leijdekkers has been linked to several large cocaine shipments, including more than 30 tonnes seized by Spanish authorities from a vessel that had left Sierra Leone.

Another eight tonnes were later found in Germany in a container of cocoa beans from Sierra Leone.

Leijdekkers has been convicted in Belgium and the Netherlands in connection with drug trafficking and other crimes.

According to The Economist, he has been sentenced in Belgium to 57 years in prison for cocaine trafficking, theft and conspiracy to murder.

In the Netherlands, he was sentenced in absentia to 24 years for drug trafficking and owes the Dutch state €96 million in fines.

Despite efforts by Dutch authorities to arrest him, his exact location remained unclear at the time of the investigation.

The report said Dutch special forces had also considered operations to capture him in Sierra Leone but abandoned plans they considered too risky.

Who is Jos Leijdekkers, the European fugitive drug lord linked to Ghana?

After months of searching, The Economist said its reporter eventually saw Leijdekkers leaving a vehicle at a police station in Freetown, where uniformed officers reportedly saluted him.

The Economist said it approached President Bio’s office, the police and the armed forces over allegations raised in the investigation but received no response.

MAG/VPO

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