Jos Leijdekkers

Jos Leijdekkers
Born
Joseph Johannes Leijdekkers

(1991-07-01) July 1, 1991
Breda, Netherlands
StatusFugitive
Other nameBolle Jos
ConvictionsAttempted manslaughter (served), large-scale cocaine trafficking, armed robbery, attempted extortion, incitement to murder, aggravated assault
Criminal penalty
Served: 6 years imprisonment; in absentia: cumulative sentences including multiple multi-year terms, fines, asset forfeiture and a large repayment order
AccomplicesRidouan Taghi, Roger P., Edin Gačanin

Joseph Johannes Leijdekkers (born 1 July 1991), commonly known as Bolle Jos (Fat Jos), is a Dutch fugitive and high-level drug trafficker wanted for involvement in large-scale cocaine trafficking, violent crimes, armed robberies, and contract killings. Since May 2022, he has been listed on the Dutch National Most Wanted List and the EU Most Wanted List.[1]

Leijdekkers has been convicted in absentia in both the Netherlands and Belgium and faces multiple multi-year prison sentences and large financial penalties.[2]

Early life

Leijdekkers was born in Breda and grew up in Prinsenbeek. During his youth, he attended several schools and came into contact with the criminal justice system early in life.[3]

Leijdekkers's father reportedly had ties to drug trafficking networks and contacts in the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp, which Leijdekkers later expanded for his own alleged activities.[4]

Criminal career

By 2018, Leijdekkers had emerged as an influential broker in international cocaine trafficking; a tip in March 2018 helped authorities link his name to ongoing investigations.[5]

Leijdekkers is alleged to have organised drug shipments from Central and South America into European ports, using corrupt port employees and international contacts.

Leijdekkers has been connected to several violent incidents, including a 2011 shooting in Scheveningen in which a rival was shot and another person was wounded. He served a six-year sentence related to that case.[6]

Leijdekkers has also been linked to large drug operations such as the Cherokee case in Amsterdam-Zuidoost and to the disappearance of Naima Tante Jillal in 2019.[7]

Sierra Leone

In early 2025, Dutch media reported footage suggesting Leijdekkers was present in Sierra Leone and pictured near President Julius Maada Bio and First Lady Fatima Bio during a New Year's church service.[8]

Additional video allegedly showed Leijdekkers interacting with senior officials, after which the head of the Sierra Leone immigration service was dismissed when the footage became public.[9]

Sierra Leonean authorities reportedly denied knowledge of Leijdekkers's presence despite Dutch requests, and journalists in Sierra Leone have said they faced pressure, offers of bribes, and threats related to reporting on the case.[10][11]

Media outlets have also reported that Leijdekkers is linked to Agnes Bio, the president's daughter, and that he used aliases while allegedly receiving protection from some local actors; some reports stated he fathered a child with the president's daughter.[12][13]

Convictions and financial orders

Leijdekkers has been convicted in multiple proceedings in the Netherlands and Belgium, often in absentia, receiving a series of multi-year sentences and financial penalties. Notable judgments include:

  • 2011: Six years' imprisonment for a shooting in Scheveningen (sentence served).[14]
  • 22 February 2024: Twelve years' imprisonment and significant asset forfeiture in a Genk, Belgium case involving a front company used for trafficking.[15]
  • 25 June 2024: Sentenced to 24 years in the Netherlands for international cocaine trafficking and ordering a murder.[16]
  • 26 September 2024: Ten years' imprisonment in Antwerp in the Dossier-Zwemmer case.[17]
  • 25 February 2025: Thirteen years' imprisonment for a cocaine robbery at Antwerp customs.[18]
  • 20 June 2025: Seven years' imprisonment for importing at least 100 kg of cocaine in the Antwerp Court of Appeal.[19]
  • 14 July 2025: Rotterdam court ordered repayment obligations and determined a criminal benefit of over €126 million, with a repayment obligation of approximately €96.7 million.[20]
  • 23 September 2025: Eight years' imprisonment in Dendermonde for importing roughly 3,500 kg of cocaine.[21]
  • 16 January 2026: Seven years' imprisonment in the Hippix case in Antwerp.[22]
  • 19 May 2026: Eight years' imprisonment, fines, and a 10-year port ban in Dendermonde for importing approximately 11,000 kg of cocaine; several accomplices also received sentences and fines.[23][24]

Videoland made a documentary about him in 2025.[25][26]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Jos Leijdekkers - National Most Wanted List". Dutch Police. Retrieved 2025-02-13.
  2. ↑ "ECLI:NL:RBROT:2024:5836". Rechtspraak.nl. Retrieved 2026-01-18.
  3. ↑ "Who is 'Bolle Jos'?". Het Parool. 2025-01-27.
  4. ↑ "Who is 'Bolle Jos'?". Het Parool. 2025-01-27.
  5. ↑ "Secret talks with major criminals". Algemeen Dagblad. 2025-11-14.
  6. ↑ "ECLI:NL:RBSGR:2011:BR5597". Rechtspraak.nl.
  7. ↑ "Who is 'Bolle Jos'?". Het Parool. 2025-01-27.
  8. ↑ "Fugitive drug criminal 'Bolle Jos' in Sierra Leone". NOS. 2025-01-24.
  9. ↑ "Immigration chief fired after video with 'Bolle Jos'". NU.nl. 2025-03-04.
  10. ↑ "Sierra Leone silences journalists over Bolle Jos". Omroep Brabant. 2025-04-07.
  11. ↑ "Sierra Leone suppresses reporting with bribes and threats". De Telegraaf. 2026-01-01.
  12. ↑ "President Bio keeps cocaine lord in the family".
  13. ↑ "Bolle Jos becomes father". De Telegraaf. 2025-09-26.
  14. ↑ "ECLI:NL:RBSGR:2011:BR5597". Rechtspraak.nl.
  15. ↑ "Drug dealers convicted in Genk case". VRT NWS. 2024-02-22.
  16. ↑ "ECLI:NL:RBROT:2024:5836". Rechtspraak.nl.
  17. ↑ "Bolle Jos convicted in Dossier-Zwemmer". VRT NWS. 2024-09-26.
  18. ↑ "Jos L. sentenced in Belgium". NOS. 2025-02-25.
  19. ↑ "'Bolle Jos' Leijdekkers sentenced in Belgium on appeal". Het Parool. 2025-06-20.
  20. ↑ "ECLI:NL:RBROT:2025:8410". Rechtspraak.nl. 2025-07-14.
  21. ↑ "Bolle Jos convicted in Belgium in absentia". NOS. 2025-09-23.
  22. ↑ "Bolle Jos sentenced in Hippix case". VRT NWS. 2026-01-16.
  23. ↑ "Convictions for cocaine import". Belgian judiciary. 2026-05-19.
  24. ↑ "Sentences for Bolle Jos and accomplices". RTL Nieuws. 2026-05-19.
  25. ↑ de Vrij, Feike (25 June 2025). "Nieuwe true-crime documentaire 'Bolle Jos' nu te zien op Videoland" (in Dutch). Retrieved 31 August 2025 – via MSN.
  26. ↑ Jonk, Erik (25 June 2025). "'Hoe kan Bolle Jos, een Brabantse snotneus, opklimmen tot de mondiale drugstop?'". Metro (in Dutch). Retrieved 31 August 2025.
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