The Dutch authorities say that one of the most wanted fugitives in Europe has lived in Sierra Leone for nearly six months.
A court in Rotterdam sentenced Jose Lydexker, 33, in absentia for 24 years in prison on June 25 last year for smuggling more than seven tons of cocaine.
Dutch public prosecutor Fim de Bruyne said that the return of the fugitive to the Netherlands has a “maximum priority.”
He added: “We are doing everything we can in this regard, but we cannot comment more because of the ongoing investigation.”
A spokesman for the Dutch Public Prosecution (OM) said that Leidexker has lived in Sierra Leone for about six months.
They said he was known for the title of Polly Jose, and until recently he was suspected of living in Türkiye.
The Serial authorities did not comment on these allegations.
Reuters news agency reported that Lydicker was monitored in Sierra Leone in January when the wife of Sierra Leone posted a video on social media to serve the church she was attending with her husband.
According to Reuters, Leijdekkers can be seen in the video. BBC was unable to check the shots.
The Dutch police described Lidguraz as “one of the main players in the smuggling of cocaine at the international level.”
A reward of 210 thousand dollars (168 thousand pounds) is provided to those who provide information that leads to his arrest. This is said to be the highest amount offered ever for a Dutch escape.
Leijdekkers has been listed as one of the most wanted fugitives by Europol, the European Union Law Agency.
The West Africa is a major crossing point for cocaine smuggling from Latin America.
On January 17, Sierra Leone summoned its ambassador from the neighboring Guinea After finding seven bags containing cocaine suspected of the embassy.
Sierra Leone Foreign Minister Hajj Musa Timothy Kaba said that the Guinean authorities confiscated a car of the Sierra Leone embassy and arrested their passengers on suspicion of possessing “substances suspected of cocaine.”
“In light of this dangerous development, the government urgently summoned the Sierra Leone Ambassador to Guinea, Ambassador, Mr. Alemami Bangura, to Fritown to present a full account of the accident.”
The minister said that the envoy who was called in the car was not in the car and was not in detention.
He added that “the ambassador’s involvement in this smuggling was not proven.”
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2025-01-25 12:42:00