Wanted Dutch drug lord Jos Leijdekkers, also known as Bolle Jos, has in recent weeks gained notoriety in Ghana following his reported links to three Ghanaian nationals arrested in connection with the seizure of 3.9 kilogrammes of cocaine by French customs.

An investigation by The Economist, published on September 18, 2026, and sighted by GhanaWeb, has revealed that Leijdekkers reportedly had a group of bodyguards from Ghana and South Africa while staying in Sierra Leone.

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The report indicated that Leijdekkers, one of Europe’s most wanted drug traffickers, was reportedly living in Sierra Leone under the name “Omar Sheriff” and presented himself as a wealthy investor.

A former waiter at the 2 Seasons Resort told The Economist that Leijdekkers stayed at the resort for about a month from December 3, 2022.

The waiter recalled that Leijdekkers claimed to be from Turkey and had a large group of bodyguards.

“Certain eccentricities stood out. He claimed to come from Turkey and had a bulky retinue of bodyguards from Ghana and South Africa,” the report said.

The Economist further reported that Leijdekkers did not want photographs taken of him and strongly disliked noise.

“He gently but unequivocally forbade photos to be taken in his presence,” the report continued.

The report also said Leijdekkers owned several mobile phones and cars and frequently hosted politicians.

“He detested noise, going so far as to pay the bills of guests who chatted too loudly in exchange for them leaving the hotel.

“He owned at least ten mobiles (‘Pixels and iPhones’), many cars, including ‘Cadillacs like the ones Donald Trump has’, and frequently hosted politicians and, on one occasion, the then-Chinese ambassador,” The Economist reported.

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Leijdekkers has been linked by European authorities to large-scale cocaine trafficking between Latin America and Europe and has been sentenced in absentia in the Netherlands and Belgium.

The Economist reported that he remained in Sierra Leone despite efforts by Dutch authorities to capture him.

MAG/MA

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