The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) of Ghana has received information from its Dutch partners that Boelle Jos, a wanted Dutch drug suspect, is believed to be hiding in Sierra Leone. This information was shared as efforts continue to locate and apprehend Jos, who is linked to a recent €225m cocaine seizure in France. NACOC's Acting Director of Public Affairs and International Relations, PNCO Francis Opoku Amoah, disclosed this in an interview.
The €225m cocaine seizure was made on September 7 at the Port of Dunkirk in France. French Customs intercepted a container of plastic waste originating from Ghana, bound for Antwerp, Belgium, and found 167 bales of cocaine weighing 3.9 metric tonnes. This seizure has been linked to fugitive Dutch drug lord Jos Leijdekkers, also known as "Bolle Jos," who is one of Europe's most wanted fugitives.
Boelle Jos, 33, has been sentenced in absentia to 24 years in prison in the Netherlands for trafficking nearly seven tonnes of cocaine. Dutch authorities believe he is hiding in Sierra Leone. NACOC has been working closely with Dutch authorities to explore possible avenues to assist in locating Jos. According to PNCO Francis Opoku Amoah, intelligence available to Ghanaian authorities indicates that Boelle Jos has not yet entered Ghana.
NACOC announced the arrest of three suspects in Ghana on September 14, accused of representing and facilitating Leijdekkers' network in Ghana. The Commission said they had been under surveillance for some time. In the Netherlands, a man from Dordrecht was also arrested on September 4 in connection with the consignment and has been remanded in custody.
PNCO Francis Opoku Amoah stated that reports of Boelle Jos receiving high-level protection could make efforts to apprehend him more difficult. He emphasized that if Jos is under high-level protection, it would be challenging to apprehend him. NACOC is working closely with Dutch authorities to locate the suspect.
The seizure and subsequent investigations have led to the arrest of several individuals connected to Leijdekkers' network. NACOC maintains that Boelle Jos himself has not entered Ghana, but his associates were operating from the country. The Commission says investigations are ongoing, and more accomplices will be brought to face the law.
The collaboration between Ghanaian and Dutch authorities aims to bring Boelle Jos to justice. NACOC's efforts, in conjunction with international partners, demonstrate the commitment to combating drug trafficking and organized crime. The case highlights the complexity of international drug trafficking networks and the need for continued cooperation between countries to effectively address the issue.
Key points
- Boelle Jos is believed to be hiding in Sierra Leone.
- The €225m cocaine seizure was made at the Port of Dunkirk in France.
- NACOC is working closely with Dutch authorities to locate Boelle Jos.
