Bolle Jos Sentenced 14 Years in Belgium: Costa Drug Case

Dutch Drug Kingpin Receives 14-Year Sentence in Landmark Belgian Trial

A Belgian court in Tongeren has sentenced fugitive Dutch drug trafficker Jos Leijdekkers, widely known as 'Bolle Jos,' to 14 years in prison for his central role in one of Europe's largest cocaine trafficking networks. The verdict, delivered on July 30, 2026, concludes the sprawling 'Costa' investigation that uncovered the smuggling of at least 25 tons of cocaine through the port of Antwerp, with an estimated street value of €3.5 billion. Leijdekkers, who remains at large and is believed to be hiding in Sierra Leone, received the harshest sentence among the 56 defendants in the case.

The court sentenced a total of 51 defendants to a combined 247 years in prison, well below the 451 years prosecutors had sought. The judge cited insufficient evidence on several counts and applied a reduction for excessive procedural delays — the so-called 'reasonable time' principle under Belgian law. Five defendants, including two lawyers, were acquitted entirely. The court also ordered the confiscation of over €68 million in criminal assets, along with properties and weapons.

What Is the Costa Investigation?

The Costa investigation, named after the Costa Rican origin of most cocaine shipments, began in October 2019 following the interception of nearly 2.8 tons of cocaine in the port of Antwerp. Using decrypted communications from the Sky ECC and EncroChat networks, Belgian federal prosecutors uncovered a vast criminal conspiracy involving multiple organized crime groups that had formed a temporary alliance to coordinate cocaine imports. The investigation revealed that these groups worked together to smuggle massive quantities of cocaine from South America via Costa Rica into Europe, using the port of Antwerp as their primary entry point.

The case exposed a sophisticated logistics network involving corrupt port employees, shell companies, and money laundering operations that stretched across Europe and West Africa. Prosecutors demonstrated that the criminal organizations laundered their profits by purchasing gold, luxury watches, and real estate in Spain and Dubai. The trial, which faced numerous delays due to procedural motions, recusal requests, and separate proceedings, became the largest drug case ever heard in the Belgian province of Limburg.

Bolle Jos: A Career Criminal With Over 100 Years in Sentences

Jos Leijdekkers, born July 1, 1991, in Breda, Netherlands, has built a criminal career that now spans more than a decade. With the latest Belgian conviction, he now faces a cumulative prison sentence of over 100 years across 10 separate convictions in Dutch and Belgian courts. His criminal record includes convictions for armed robbery, assault, large-scale cocaine trafficking, money laundering, and ordering a contract killing.

Key convictions against Leijdekkers include:

• 2011: Six years for a shooting in Scheveningen (sentence served).
• February 2024: Twelve years in Genk, Belgium, for trafficking via a front company.
• June 2024: Twenty-four years in the Netherlands for international cocaine trafficking and ordering a murder.
• September 2024: Ten years in Antwerp in the 'Dossier-Zwemmer' case.
• February 2025: Thirteen years for a cocaine robbery at Antwerp customs.
• July 2026: Fourteen years in the Costa trial in Tongeren.

In addition to prison sentences, a Rotterdam court in July 2025 determined that Leijdekkers had obtained over €126 million in criminal benefits and ordered him to repay approximately €96.7 million. The cumulative sentences are largely symbolic, as he would be well over 100 years old before completing such a term — but they underscore the scale of his criminal enterprise.

The Record Cocaine Seizure Linked to Leijdekkers

In May 2026, Spanish authorities intercepted the cargo ship Arconian near the Canary Islands, seizing 30,215 kilograms of cocaine in 1,279 packages — the largest single cocaine seizure ever recorded. The ship had departed from Sierra Leone, where Leijdekkers has been living since 2022. According to a report by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC), the shipment was likely coordinated by Leijdekkers' network. The vessel was carrying armed guards and over 42,000 liters of fuel, intended to transfer smaller loads to speedboats for transport to Europe.

The GI-TOC investigation, based on open-source data and over 190 interviews, found that Leijdekkers' network had been using Sierra Leone as a logistics hub since at least 2024, employing a 'mothership' method to move cocaine from South America to Europe via West Africa. This method involves large cargo ships lingering off the coast while smaller boats collect the drugs for delivery to European ports. The report identified at least eight similar shipments since 2024, highlighting how Sierra Leone has become a critical transit point in the global cocaine trade. The record cocaine seizure near the Canary Islands has intensified international pressure on Sierra Leone to cooperate with extradition efforts.

Hiding in Sierra Leone: Diplomatic Tensions and Extradition Efforts

Leijdekkers has been on the run since 2022 and is believed to be living openly in Sierra Leone, reportedly in a romantic relationship with Agnes Bio, a daughter of President Julius Maada Bio. Video footage from early 2025 showed him attending a New Year's church service alongside the president and first lady, sparking a diplomatic crisis. The head of Sierra Leone's immigration service was dismissed after the footage became public, but the government has denied knowledge of Leijdekkers' presence despite multiple Dutch requests for cooperation.

The Netherlands has no extradition treaty with Sierra Leone, and diplomatic efforts have stalled. In response, the Dutch government has asked the European Union to pressure Sierra Leone by potentially cutting €325 million in development aid allocated for 2021-2027. The EU has placed the issue high on the agenda for upcoming summits in Brussels. Meanwhile, a €200,000 reward is offered by the Dutch Public Prosecution Service for information leading to Leijdekkers' arrest. He remains on both the Dutch National Most Wanted List and the EU Most Wanted List.

The case has also raised concerns about international drug trafficking through West Africa, as experts warn that Sierra Leone's role as a transit hub is growing. The GI-TOC report noted that journalists in Sierra Leone have faced pressure, threats, and bribery attempts when reporting on Leijdekkers' presence, suggesting a climate of impunity.

Impact and Implications of the Costa Verdict

The Costa verdict sends a strong signal about the determination of Belgian and Dutch authorities to dismantle large-scale drug trafficking networks. However, the fact that Leijdekkers remains free highlights the challenges of cross-border law enforcement when fugitives find refuge in countries with weak extradition arrangements. The case has also drawn attention to the role of encrypted communication platforms like Sky ECC and EncroChat in modern organized crime. The decryption of these networks by law enforcement has been a game-changer, leading to hundreds of arrests across Europe.

The trial also exposed the deep involvement of professionals — including lawyers, former police officers, and businesspeople — in facilitating drug trafficking. Former police officer Willy Van Mechelen received 9 years, while his business partner Tom Bastiaanse got 12 years. Former Bandidos motorcycle club leader Geert Frisson was sentenced to 13 years. The court's decision to apply sentence reductions due to procedural delays has sparked debate about the balance between defendants' rights and the need for efficient justice in complex organized crime cases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Bolle Jos?

Bolle Jos, real name Joseph Johannes Leijdekkers, is a Dutch fugitive and one of Europe's most wanted drug traffickers. He is known for large-scale cocaine smuggling through the ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam, as well as violent crimes including armed robbery and ordering contract killings.

Why was Bolle Jos sentenced to 14 years in Belgium?

A Belgian court in Tongeren sentenced him to 14 years as part of the Costa investigation, which uncovered the smuggling of at least 25 tons of cocaine worth €3.5 billion through the port of Antwerp. He was convicted in absentia for leading a criminal organization involved in drug trafficking and money laundering.

Where is Bolle Jos now?

Leijdekkers is believed to be hiding in Sierra Leone, West Africa, where he reportedly has a relationship with a daughter of President Julius Maada Bio. He has been seen attending public events with the presidential family, and the Netherlands has been unable to secure his extradition.

How much reward is offered for Bolle Jos?

The Dutch Public Prosecution Service offers €200,000 for the 'golden tip' that leads to his arrest. He is on the EU Most Wanted List and the Dutch National Most Wanted List.

What was the largest cocaine seizure linked to Bolle Jos?

In May 2026, Spanish authorities seized 30,215 kilograms of cocaine from the cargo ship Arconian near the Canary Islands — the largest single cocaine seizure in history. The shipment was linked to Leijdekkers' network and had been loaded in Sierra Leone.