SIERRA LEONEANS DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY AND REFORM AFTER RECORD SEIZURES – PRESS STATEMENT – May 9, 2026

Two recent massive cocaine busts – one in Belgium (Antwerp, Oct 2023) and one in Spain (May 2026) – have exposed Sierra Leone’s role as a transit hub for Latin American cocaine bound for Europe. In Antwerp, authorities seized 11.2 tonnes of cocaine hidden in a container from Freetown, Sierra Leone. In May 2026, Spain’s Civil Guard intercepted a ship in the Atlantic carrying 35–40 tonnes of cocaine; the vessel had departed from Freetown en route to Libya. The enormous scale of these shipments (together worth well over €1 billion) and the apparent logistical links to Sierra Leone have shaken public trust. At the same time, credible reports surfaced that a top European trafficker, Jos “Bolle Jos” Leijdekkers, convicted for multi-ton cocaine deals, has been living openly in Sierra Leone with alleged “high-level protection”. Though the Government of Sierra Leone officially denies knowledge and claims to be cooperating with Interpol, the convergence of evidence has generated urgent questions: How could so many tonnes of cocaine leave our ports without detection? Why do seizures linked to Sierra Leone occur abroad, while none are reported in Sierra Leone itself?

SLAM‑GLOBAL, speaking for the people of Sierra Leone, issues this forceful but legally cautious statement: We recognise the bravery of law enforcement who intercepted these shipments abroad, but we insist that our own authorities fully investigate and close every loophole. We demand transparency, accountability, and reform. This press release lays out the verified facts and gaps in evidence, and presents clear demands for domestic 2 reforms and international cooperation. Our message to global partners (EU, US, UN, ECOWAS) is firm: help Sierra Leone shut down these trafficking corridors and bring all involved to justice.

Political Comfort While the Nation Burns: SLAM-GLOBAL expresses profound disappointment at the recent public display of cordiality and closed-door engagement between sections of the APC leadership and the Bio administration at a time when Sierra Leone is facing one of the gravest international scandals in its modern history. While the world is asking how record-breaking cocaine shipments linked to Sierra Leone could move through international waters, many Sierra Leoneans expected the opposition to be at the forefront of demanding answers—not posing for photographs in political comfort with the very administration under whose watch these crises have escalated.

This is not an ordinary political disagreement. This is a matter of national security, international reputation, youth destruction, institutional credibility, and the future of our country. At a moment when the opposition should be dominating media platforms, convening emergency press conferences, demanding parliamentary inquiries, engaging international partners, and relentlessly questioning the government about trafficking networks, enforcement failures, and possible protection systems, the public instead witnessed scenes that project business as usual. (Photo: Cocaine bales seized).

The people are asking difficult but necessary questions: Who approved the departure of these vessels? Who inspected them? Who benefited? Why has there been no transparent national briefing? Why are there no visible domestic investigations matching the scale of the international seizures? An opposition worthy of the people’s trust must do more than attend meetings and exchange pleasantries while Sierra Leone’s name is dragged across global headlines. Democracy requires vigilance, courage, and principled pressure – especially during moments of national crisis. Silence, accommodation, or excessive political comfort in the face of such serious allegations risks sending the dangerous message that the political class is more committed to elite coexistence than to truth and accountability for the suffering people of Sierra Leone.

SLAM-GLOBAL reminds all political actors that this crisis is bigger than party loyalty. Sierra Leone is standing at a dangerous crossroads. History will remember who demanded answers—and who remained comfortable while the nation’s integrity was being questioned before the world. Sierra Leoneans’ Declaration of Concern: We, the people of Sierra Leone, speak with one voice. In recent weeks, we have seen our country’s name dragged through the international headlines in the worst way: as the point of origin for unprecedented cocaine hauls. We share the outrage that record-breaking seizures took place on the high seas, and we applaud the officers who made the arrests. But our people ask: How is this happening? Every Sierra Leonean deserves security and the rule of law. We will not tolerate impunity or let these events define our nation without action.

These revelations cut deep. A shipment with tens of tonnes of cocaine — enough to enslave generations with addiction — was reportedly loaded in Freetown and nearly made it into Europe. At the same time, news emerged that a convicted Dutch cocaine kingpin has been in Sierra Leone, allegedly shielded by insiders. We welcome the international press coverage that brought these facts to light, even as we regret the stain it casts. Now we demand the truth. We demand to know who facilitated these operations, and what will be done to stop them. We call on Mr. Julius Maada Bio and his administration: this is your moment to prove you will stand with your people, not with criminals. We urge your administration to cooperate fully with Belgium, Spain, Interpol and other partners, and to keep the people of Sierra Leone informed. We refuse to allow silence and secrecy to become the cover-up for a crisis that endangers our youth and taints our reputation. To every honest Sierra Leonean official and citizen: join us in demanding accountability and reform. Together, we will restore integrity to our ports, customs, and politics, and ensure that Sierra Leone is a beacon of justice, not a gateway for crime. (Photo: Spanish Navy seized the drug ship).

Key Facts and Evidence

• Antwerp Seizure (Oct 2023): Belgian authorities uncovered 11.2 tonnes of cocaine hidden in a container from Sierra Leone. The drugs (8,464 blocks) were destined for Antwerp and valued at ~€550 million. The bust was triggered by a violent clash between rival gangs at the port. Belgian prosecutors have now 4 charged 22 suspects (including Dutch trafficker Jos “Bolle Jos” Leijdekkers) in a high-profile trial. This was one of Europe’s largest seizures, underlining Sierra Leone’s role as a transshipment point for Latin American cocaine.
• Spain Seizure (May 2026): In a separate case, Spain’s Civil Guard intercepted a cargo ship in international waters off the Canary Islands. The vessel’s hold was ― completely stuffed‖ with 35–40 tonnes of cocaine” – a national (and likely global) record. ~20 crew members were arrested. The ship had left Freetown, Sierra Leone, en route to Benghazi, Libya. Investigators believe the Libya destination was a ruse: such a massive cargo would likely be transferred at sea to smaller boats for distribution in Europe. Spanish officials called it “one of the biggest [seizures] not only nationally but internationally”.
• Pattern of West African Routes: The two shipments fit a known scheme: West Africa (and Sierra Leone in particular) has become a “key logistics and redistribution hub” for cocaine headed to Europe. Shipments often travel from Brazil/Colombia → Gulf of Guinea → West African ports → Europe, using fishing boats or cargo ships to evade detection. Notably, large seizures linked to Sierra Leone have occurred abroad, while virtually none occur at home. This asymmetry raises the question: are local enforcement and oversight failing, or being undermined?
• High-Profile Kingpin in Sierra Leone: Jos Leijdekkers (“Bolle Jos”) is a convicted Dutch cocaine trafficker, responsible for importing over 7 tonnes into Europe. In January 2025, Reuters confirmed he has been living openly in Sierra Leone since at least 2023. He was even photographed sitting two rows behind Mr. Julius Maada Bio at a church service, reportedly next to Mr Bio’s daughter. Multiple sources say he enjoys “high-level protection” in Sierra Leone. The Sierra Leone government later stated it had no prior knowledge of his presence and that it would cooperate with international law enforcement. These reports are alarming, but as of this writing no official has been charged. The presence of such a figure undercuts confidence in the integrity of our institutions. Forensic Evidence Gaps: What We Still Don’t Know. Critical questions remain unanswered. The public has not seen the cargo manifests, loading records, vessel clearance documents, or inspection logs from Freetown. The chain of custody is also unknown: who handled the cargo, who inspected it, and who signed off on its departure? 5 The financial trail remains unexamined publicly, despite the scale of the shipments requiring major funding, banking, insurance, and logistical support. Likewise, any communications evidence—phone records, emails, surveillance, or intercepted coordination—has not been disclosed. Most troubling, Sierra Leone has reported no clear parallel arrests, searches, domestic seizures, or public accountability measures linked to these international seizures. Until these records are released and independently audited, the central question remains unanswered: who touched the cargo, who approved it, and who benefited? Policy Demands and Next Steps: Domestic Reforms (Sierra Leone Government): (Photos: SLPP and APC officials).

• Transparent Investigation: Immediately declassify and share relevant port, customs, and shipping records for the Antwerp and Canary Island cases. Appoint an independent commission (or invite UN/ECOWAS monitors) to review procedures at Freetown Port.
• Anti-Corruption Audits: Conduct thorough audits of officials in customs, immigration, and maritime security. Any official found facilitating smuggling must face prosecution. Results of these investigations should be public.
• Strengthen Enforcement: Invest in training and equipment for the AntiNarcotics Unit and Police. Tighten vetting and monitoring of port security staff. Enhance scanning technology for incoming/outgoing cargo.
• Legislative Action: Enact stricter laws on money laundering and port security if gaps are found. Consider ratifying mutual legal assistance treaties to expedite extraditions and evidence-sharing.
• Public Accountability: Regularly update citizens on progress. Use open forums to explain reforms. Assure families and communities that the government will not let this scandal go unanswered. International Cooperation (EU, U.S., UN, ECOWAS):
• Extradition of Jos Leijdekkers: EU (especially the Netherlands/Belgium) should continue pressing Sierra Leone to extradite Mr. Leijdekkers to face his sentence. ECOWAS and the UN should spotlight this case as urgent. His prosecution can deter others.
• Intelligence Sharing & Joint Ops: EU and U.S. agencies should include Sierra Leone in their counter-narcotics intelligence networks (e.g. MAOC-Atlantic). The U.S. might consider expanding its Operation CARIBBE-style naval patrols into the Gulf of Guinea, and the EU could bolster Operation Atlantic with Atlantic surveillance.
• Sanctions/Financial Measures: The EU and U.S. should review sanctions (e.g. asset freezes under Counter-Narcotics Kingpin sanctions) against any identified traffickers or complicit officials. Banking and corporate registries should be scrutinized internationally for illicit flows from Sierra Leone routes.
• Capacity Building Aid: UNODC, ECOWAS and partners must offer Sierra Leone training on drug enforcement, forensic audits, and border security. Equipping Sierra Leone’s labs and border agencies will help find similar contraband on home soil.
• Diplomatic Pressure: International partners should use diplomatic channels (and, if needed, travel bans or visa restrictions) to signal zero tolerance for any official complicity. A united front will encourage Sierra Leone’s leadership to act decisively without accusations of neo-colonialism. These actions are concrete steps that global partners can take. As Sierra Leoneans, we urge each entity to speak with one voice: drug trafficking on this massive scale is a global problem, and it demands collective action. We also call on neighboring West African states and ECOWAS to intensify regional patrols in the Gulf of Guinea, and to watch for “phantom” ships and unflagged vessels. (Photo: Osman Yansaneh and Maada Bio).

Call to Action – Sierra Leoneans Unite. We call on every citizen: Stay vigilant. If you see suspicious ships or trucks, or hear rumors of large illicit flows, report it immediately to law enforcement. Support community leaders and NGOs in pushing for transparency. Educate our youth about the dangers of cocaine and kush and resist the influence of criminal networks. Our country’s future depends on an informed, engaged public. Now is the time for courage and honesty. We, the people of Sierra Leone, demand that these revelations lead to real change – not cover-ups. Only through unity, accountability, and international solidarity can we turn this crisis into an opportunity to strengthen our nation’s rule of law. Together, we can ensure that Sierra Leone’s ports are gateways to prosperity, not drug trafficking. P.S. We invite you to explore our recently published analysis in a book, “Building a Nation: Good Governance and Democratic Principles in Sierra Leone.” As we unite for change in 2026, this resource provides valuable insights for activists, policymakers, and concerned citizens committed to Sierra Leone’s transformation. Find it here: link.

Signed, Dr. Alfred A. Veenod Fullah DIRECTOR-GENERAL

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Sierra Leone Advocacy Movement (SLAM-Global) Motto: Trust, Unity and Social Justice Email: advocacy1@slam-global.org.uk Mobile: UK – +447725982424/+447564115946 EU – +46734836874/+34676768005 US – 01732-619-9510/01608-772-3917