A court in the East Flemish town of Dendermonde has passed sentence of the Dutch drug trafficker known as Jos Leijdekkers a.k.a. Bolle Jos and 16 other members of a drug trafficking gang that smuggled 3.4kg of cocaine via the Waasland Dock in the port of Antwerp. Jos Leijdekkers was sentenced in his absence to 8 years imprisonment and fined 24,000 euro. He is still at large.
On the night of 26 June 2020, the police received a tip-off that a number of people were unloading a shipping container at the port. When they arrived, officers found 3.4 tonnes of cocaine inside the container. 5 suspects were arrested at the scene.
Using mobile phone data and CCTV footage the police were able to apprehend further suspects, including container lift drivers that were involved in the drug smuggling operation. Several lorry drivers and other port workers were also detained. It later transpired that the drugs criminal known as ‘Bolle Jos’ was also involved.
Sentences of up to 8 years
'Bolle Jos' was given the stiffest sentence of 8 years’ imprisonment and a fine of 24,000 euro. The court demanded his immediate arrest. However, this might prove difficult given that he is currently on the run and was last seen in Sierra Leone on New Year's Day. ‘Bolle Jos’ is reportedly in a relationship with the daughter of the country’s president Julius Maada Bio. The Dutch drug lord features on Europol’s Most Wanted List.
In addition to Jos Leijdekkers, 17 other suspects were on trial. 1 suspect was acquitted, the other 16 were sentenced according to their level of involvement. They were given prison sentences of between 1 and 5 years and fines of between 8,000 and 24,000 euro.