Sierra Leone denies harboring European wanted drug felon - January 31, 2025

Daybreak Africa - VOA Africa

Sierra Leone says it has launched an investigation into reports that a convicted drug felon and one of Europe’s most wanted individuals may be living in Sierra Leone. Jos Leijdekkers appears in a photo taken during an event attended by President Julius Maada Bio. According to Reuters, Leijdekkers was sentenced in June in absentia to 24 years in prison by a Dutch court for smuggling more than 7 tons of cocaine --- and has been in Sierra Leone since early 2023. Sierra Leone Information Minister Chernor Bah VOA’s James Butty, the government has no knowledge of the identity and issues associated with Leijdekkers.