Dutch prosecutors have announced a record €2 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Jos Leijdekkers, a convicted cocaine trafficker whose alleged international operations have become the subject of investigations in Ghana.
The reward, equivalent to approximately US$2.2 million, is intended to encourage anyone with credible information to provide a decisive lead that could help authorities locate and arrest the 35-year-old fugitive. Editorial Ethics & Independence
The announcement was made by the Netherlands Public Prosecution Service on Monday, November 2, 2026, as efforts to secure his arrest intensify.
The new bounty represents a tenfold increase from the previous €200,000 reward, making it the largest ever offered by Dutch authorities for the capture of a fugitive.
Prosecutors say the money will be paid to anyone whose information makes his arrest possible.
The development has attracted attention in Ghana because the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) is investigating three individuals suspected of representing or facilitating Leijdekkers’ alleged drug-trafficking activities in the country.
The suspects were arrested following the seizure of approximately 3.9 tonnes of cocaine by French customs officials.
The shipment is believed to be connected to a wider international drug-trafficking network, although investigators are still working to establish the precise relationships between those involved and the suspected operation.
NACOC has confirmed that the three individuals are in its custody and assisting with investigations into their alleged roles.
Authorities are expected to examine their connections to Leijdekkers, the activities they may have undertaken in Ghana and whether local operations formed part of a broader international trafficking structure.
The investigation could provide important information about the movement of cocaine through international supply routes and the possible use of Ghanaian connections to facilitate trafficking activities.
However, the arrest of the three suspects does not, by itself, establish their guilt or prove that every aspect of the alleged network operated through Ghana.
Who is Jos Leijdekkers?
Leijdekkers is known in the Netherlands by the nickname “Bolle Jos”, which translates to “Chubby Jos”.
Dutch police also identify him by the aliases Omar Sharif and Omar Sherrif, names reportedly used in connection with his presence in Sierra Leone.
He is considered one of Europe’s most wanted fugitives and is described by Dutch prosecutors as a major figure in international cocaine trafficking.
Investigators believe he accumulated tens of millions of euros through the illegal drug trade.
According to the Netherlands Public Prosecution Service, authorities have known since mid-2024 that Leijdekkers was residing in Sierra Leone.
His whereabouts have therefore become a major focus of efforts by Dutch police and prosecutors to secure his arrest and return him to the Netherlands to serve his sentence. Corrections Policy
His criminal record includes a 24-year prison sentence imposed in absentia by the Rotterdam District Court on June 25, 2024.
The conviction covered six cocaine shipments involving nearly 7,000 kilogrammes of the drug, an armed robbery in Finland and giving instructions for a murder.
He has also received a separate sentence of 79 years in Belgium in connection with drug-related criminal cases.
Dutch authorities continue to investigate other suspected offences, including money laundering and involvement in serious acts of violence.
Why the reward has been increased
The Dutch government says the increased reward reflects the priority attached to securing Leijdekkers’ arrest.
Authorities believe his capture would be an important step towards disrupting the international criminal networks associated with him.
The Public Prosecution Service has specifically appealed for information about his movements, whereabouts and possible travel plans.
Information about occasions when he may leave Sierra Leone could provide an opportunity for law enforcement agencies to arrest him.
Dutch police have also assured potential informants that their identities will be kept strictly confidential. Editorial Standards
Information can be submitted through a dedicated investigative team, and authorities say submissions can be made in any language.
The Netherlands has previously sought Leijdekkers’ extradition from Sierra Leone, but efforts to secure his return have faced difficulties.
The issue has also attracted international attention because of concerns about his continued presence in the West African country.
Implications for Ghana’s anti-drug trafficking efforts
The investigation involving the three suspects in Ghana places renewed attention on the importance of international cooperation in combating organised drug trafficking.
Cocaine trafficking networks often operate across several countries, using different individuals and businesses to arrange transportation, financing, storage and distribution.
Investigations therefore require cooperation between law enforcement agencies, customs authorities and intelligence services across national borders.
For Ghana, establishing the extent of any local involvement will be important in identifying possible weaknesses in the country’s efforts to prevent its territory from being used for international drug trafficking.
The outcome of NACOC’s investigation could also help authorities determine whether additional individuals, companies or financial arrangements were involved in the suspected network.
Any evidence uncovered will need to be examined through the appropriate legal processes.
The case further highlights the importance of monitoring maritime and commercial supply routes, strengthening intelligence-sharing arrangements and ensuring that suspicious transactions and cargo movements receive appropriate scrutiny.
While the €2 million reward is aimed at helping Dutch authorities locate Leijdekkers, the Ghanaian investigation remains a separate but potentially connected effort to establish the role of individuals suspected of facilitating his activities.
As investigations continue, attention will focus on whether the three suspects can provide information that helps authorities understand the alleged network and whether further arrests or charges will follow. Privacy Policy & Terms
The record bounty signals the determination of Dutch authorities to bring one of Europe’s most wanted convicted cocaine traffickers into custody.
For Ghana, the investigation presents an opportunity to strengthen efforts against international drug networks and establish accountability wherever evidence of criminal activity is found.