Isaac ‘Bom’ B., cocaine kingpin, extradited to the Netherlands from Turkey

Isaac ‘Bom’ B., a prominent figure in the international cocaine trade, was extradited to the Netherlands from Turkey on Thursday, 18 months after his arrest. The Dutch crime boss, who had been on the run for years, faces a 12-year prison sentence for leading a drug trafficking ring responsible for importing 5,700 kilograms of cocaine into the Netherlands, according to AD.

B., 30, was apprehended in Turkey in June 2023 during a manhunt targeting his former associate, Jos “Bolle Jos” Leijdekkers, one of the Netherlands' most wanted criminals. Authorities consider B. a key player in a network that facilitated large-scale cocaine shipments and orchestrated violent crimes.

The extradition of Isaac B. follows that of Faissal Taghi, the son of Ridouan Taghi, a leading organized crime figure in the Netherlands. Taghi was flown from Dubai under strict security measures in mid-2024, having been detained overseas for a year.

Isaac B., known in Turkish media as “Black Mamba,” unsuccessfully fought extradition from Turkey, pleading with authorities to allow him to stay. “My life is here; my family is here. I don’t want to be extradited,” he reportedly said, referencing his wife and children, who hold Turkish citizenship. Turkish courts rejected his appeals, clearing the way for his return to the Netherlands.

In September 2023, B. attempted to flee while on a temporary release granted by Turkish authorities during his extradition proceedings. Just hours after his release, he was arrested again as he tried to board a vehicle believed to be intended for his escape.

Born in Ghana and raised in Rotterdam, Isaac B. rose rapidly within the criminal underworld, aligning himself with Leijdekkers. Together, the pair orchestrated massive drug shipments, including a 4,200-kilogram cocaine consignment intercepted in Antwerp. Authorities estimated the street value of the haul at approximately 200 million euros (218 million dollars).

Both men reportedly relocated to Turkey in recent years. During the summer of 2023, Turkish authorities intensified their efforts against Leijdekkers’ organization. While Leijdekkers remains at large, B. was apprehended and interrogated. Investigations revealed that the former associates had fallen out, further complicating the dynamics of their criminal operations.

Isaac B.’s criminal history extends beyond drug trafficking. His name has surfaced in multiple cases involving violence, including bombings and assassination plots. Authorities allege that he and Leijdekkers planned the assassination of a rival in The Hague. B. reportedly conducted surveillance near the target’s home, though the plot was never executed.

In addition to his Dutch conviction, Isaac B. faces a six-year prison sentence in Belgium for his involvement in a 2019 attack in Antwerp.

Dutch authorities continue to pursue Leijdekkers, who remains a fugitive.