Video: drug lord 'Bolle Jos' spotted celebrating with top Sierra Leone officials
A newly surfaced video obtained by Follow the Money and AD shows notorious Dutch drug trafficker Jos Leijdekkers, known as "Bolle Jos," celebrating the 50th birthday of a powerful Sierra Leonean official while distributing gifts to key figures in the country’s government.The 22-second footage, released March 7, 2025, underscores Leijdekkers' ties to influential figures in Sierra Leone, including Andrew Kaikai, head of the country's drug police.
The video, lasting 22 seconds, shows Leijdekkers, a key figure in the international cocaine trade, confidently mingling with top officials in Sierra Leone. The scene is set in the country's most exclusive restaurant, LOR, known for its luxurious offerings such as 24-carat gold-topped tomahawk steaks.
Leijdekkers, dressed in a Versace shirt worth 900 dollars, hands a gift to Alusine Kanneh, the head of the Sierra Leone Immigration Service, who is celebrating his milestone birthday. The video captures the jovial atmosphere, with Leijdekkers raising a watch from the gift table and waving it around as fireworks light up the scene.
While the video does not provide direct evidence of bribery, it clearly shows Leijdekkers in the company of powerful figures, including Andrew Kaikai, head of Sierra Leone’s drug police, who watches the exchange with a smile. This footage highlights Leijdekkers' apparent comfort within the inner circle of Sierra Leone’s government and his ability to openly engage with high-ranking officials.
Leijdekkers' connections to the country's elite are not new. Sources in Sierra Leone and within Dutch law enforcement suggest that the fugitive has effectively "purchased" a significant amount of influence within the country, further complicating international efforts to apprehend him. These revelations also reportedly shed light on why doing business with Sierra Leone has become nearly impossible for the Netherlands. The relationship between Leijdekkers and the Sierra Leonean government raises questions about corruption and complicity in his criminal activities.
Leijdekkers' connections to Sierra Leone’s officials have been under scrutiny for some time. In January 2023, a violent altercation at a nightclub in Freetown saw Kanneh involved in an incident where he attempted to mediate a fight. The official government statement claimed that Kanneh had no knowledge of Leijdekkers’ criminal background at the time. However, local media later identified Leijdekkers as one of the key figures involved in the confrontation, further linking him to the Sierra Leonean establishment.
Additionally, Leijdekkers' involvement in a shooting outside the nightclub, which resulted in a man being injured, became one of the early signs that led Dutch authorities to Sierra Leone. Reports later revealed that the man involved in the shooting was part of Leijdekkers’ security detail, disguised under the alias “Omar Sheriff,” a false identity used by the fugitive.
Throughout 2023, Dutch authorities continued to receive tips about Leijdekkers' whereabouts in Sierra Leone. One of the most telling pieces of evidence was his sighting in Freetown, traveling in a heavily guarded convoy of luxury SUVs. Sources indicate that Leijdekkers' protection includes paramilitary security personnel, wearing camouflaged uniforms and red berets, a force allegedly supported by the Sierra Leonean government.
As the investigation into Leijdekkers’ whereabouts intensifies, Dutch law enforcement is attempting to make contact with Sierra Leonean authorities, although the complexity of the situation cannot be overstated. The head of Sierra Leone's drug enforcement, Andrew Kaikai, who is seen in the video observing Leijdekkers’ gift exchange, has already been flagged for potential corruption. This only complicates efforts to bring the Dutch fugitive to justice.
