# Dutch authorities raise reward to €2m for fugitive Jos Leijdekkers

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/dutch-police-offer-record-e2m-reward-in-hunt-for-drug-lord/
- Published: 2026-11-02T17:29:49+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-02T17:52:37+00:00
- Original publisher: BBC World (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckly0v2q2yxlo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
- Topics: Health, Medicine, World

## Key points

- Dutch police offer a record €2m reward to help arrest Jos Leijdekkers.
- He is believed to be in Sierra Leone, which has refused extradition.
- He has been sentenced to 24 years in the Netherlands and 79 in Belgium.

## Summary

Dutch authorities have increased their reward ten-fold to €2m for information leading to the arrest of Jos Leijdekkers, a fugitive accused of playing a major role in international cocaine trafficking. The justice minister said the increase reflects the threat he poses to national security and the rule of law, while prosecutors say his capture is a top priority and information will be kept confidential.

Leijdekkers, 35, is believed by Dutch police to be living in Sierra Leone under the name Omar Sherrif; the country has refused a Dutch extradition request. In 2024, a Rotterdam court sentenced him in absentia to 24 years for smuggling more than seven tonnes of cocaine, and he has also received a 79-year sentence in Belgium. Authorities estimate he made tens of millions of euros and accuse him of money laundering and involvement in extreme violence.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.