Sierra Leone: Tracking a drug kingpin

Summary

Business Daily: Sierra Leone – Tracking a Drug Kingpin

Podcast: Business Daily, BBC World Service
Host: Ed Butler
Date: August 2, 2026
Episode Theme:
A deep investigative dive into how one of the Netherlands’ most-wanted drug criminals, Jos Leideckers, has seemingly found safe haven in Sierra Leone—despite international pressure, alleged government collusion, and the silencing of local journalists.

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Main Theme Overview

This episode recounts the extraordinary saga of Jos Leideckers, dubbed by some as the Netherlands’ biggest drug kingpin, as he lives openly in Sierra Leone, under apparent government protection. Through first-hand accounts, interviews with journalists, politicians, and activists, the episode exposes the deep challenges posed by cocaine money, state corruption, government intimidation, and the erosion of democracy in one of West Africa’s poorest nations.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Rise and Present of Jos Leideckers in Sierra Leone

• Leideckers is described as a wanted Dutch drug criminal who now openly resides in Sierra Leone, reportedly with privileged status and connections at the highest echelons of government.
• Despite international warrants and a Dutch extradition request, there is no active search for him by Sierra Leonean authorities.
• Allegations swirl that Leideckers may be married to the daughter of President Julius Maada Bio, further entwining his fate with the country’s political elite.

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2. Investigative Journalism Under Threat

• [02:14] Sophie van Leeuwen, Dutch TV Africa reporter, travels to Freetown to investigate Leideckers' presence.
• [03:09 – 05:13] Van Leeuwen and her local fixer, journalist Joseph Toure, recount being intercepted at a police roadblock, detained, and subjected to intimidation and days of questioning:
  • “There was a motorbike in front...as if they were carrying the president.” – Joseph Toure [04:21]
  • Joseph flees into hiding, fearing for his life.
  • Van Leeuwen is held for four days, questioned, and has her equipment wiped. Only after intervention from Dutch diplomats is she released.

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3. Government Stonewalling and Denials

• High-ranking officials, including the Information and Justice Ministers, maintain that Leideckers is under investigation and deny any protection or even knowledge of his proximity to the president’s family.
• Attorney General Alpha Sesay:
  • “These are complex investigations and sometimes they go on for some time.” [16:56]
  • “I honestly am hearing this for the first time… I have only heard about this now.” – On Leideckers’ public sightings [17:32]

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4. Corruption and State Capture Claims

• Multiple interviews, including with opposition leader Abdul Kargbo and women’s rights activist Florence Katter, frame Sierra Leone’s dilemma:

  • Low income, endemic poverty, and a political culture prone to corruption and lavish living among politicians.
  • “Most of them are living very lavish lives, which for me it’s really worrisome… Power corruption is what have shaped the mentality of our politicians.” – Florence Katter [10:52]

• The opposition accuses President Bio’s government of deliberately shielding Leideckers:

  • “He’s still in Sierra Leone. Till now, police are not even looking for him. There is no warrant of arrest for him. So he is as free as any citizen…” – Abdul Kargbo [12:45]
  • “He is bankrolling them… there are people who say he’s like the finance minister of clud.” – Joseph Toure [20:51]

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5. Intimidation of Journalists and Civil Society

• Joseph Toure, now in hiding abroad, reflects on the chilling effect of the government crackdown:

  • “Everybody is now afraid to speak. Everyone knows that once they get a hold of you, you’re finished.” [20:01]
  • On his exile: “Thinking of going to Sierra Leone now is like you thinking of going to hell.” [20:37]

• Sophie van Leeuwen underscores the climate of fear:

  • “They are. I could see it, that’s what people also told me…so you shut up. The democracy is dying in this situation.” [21:34]

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6. International Fallout and Possible Sanctions

• The Dutch government is seeking EU-wide sanctions against Sierra Leone over the issue.
• A reported (but allegedly now-scrapped) Dutch military operation to seize Leideckers at sea emphasizes the case’s international stakes.

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7. Government Response and the Question of Democracy

• Denials persist from the president’s family, including First Lady Fatima Bio, despite media evidence of proximity:
  • “I have no idea who he is… I wouldn’t know, because I’m not a criminal.” – First Lady Fatima Bio [13:55]
• Justice Minister insists on Sierra Leone’s track record of democracy, highlighting peaceful transfers of power and no exposure to extremism [18:44-19:29].

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the roadblock and arrest:
  “We turned the car around and we are escorted by a truck full of armed men, through the city of Freetown to the Criminal Investigation Department.” – Sophie van Leeuwen [03:49]
  “I just abandoned my vehicle and I escaped.” – Joseph Toure [04:46]

• On intimidation:
  “I did feel weakened after a while, and maybe more scared, you know, because you start to wonder, will I get out?” – Sophie van Leeuwen [05:20]

• On government complicity:
  “You feel like the government is working for him.” – Sophie van Leeuwen [06:50]

• On impact on democracy:
  “If you keep your people so poor and devastated…how can these people stand up against money, corruption, money, or against authorities?” – Sophie van Leeuwen [15:36]

• On exile:
  “Me thinking of going to Sierra Leone now is like you thinking of going to hell.” – Joseph Toure [20:37]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:20] - The emergence of Jos Leideckers in Sierra Leone
• [02:14] – [06:06] - The journalists’ attempted investigation and arrest
• [07:54] - Video evidence places Leideckers among government elite
• [10:31] - Florence Katter on poverty and corruption
• [11:43] - Opposition leader Abdul Kargbo on impunity
• [13:55] - First Lady Fatima Bio denies connection
• [16:18] – [19:29] - Justice Minister Alpha Sesay on government inaction and democracy
• [20:01] – [20:37] - Joseph Toure on fear and self-exile
• [21:34] - Sophie van Leeuwen on climate of fear and dying democracy

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Flow & Tone

The episode moves from tense first-hand journalism to sobering analysis of state dysfunction, employing both participant testimony and probing interviews. The overall tone is critical, urgent, and at times deeply personal, reflecting on the intersections of power, organized crime, and the fragility of democracy in Sierra Leone.

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Conclusion

This episode of Business Daily is a revealing, unsettling case study of how drug money, patronage, and government complicity can cripple institutions and democracy, put journalists at risk, and keep an entire country in the grip of fear and impunity. The story ends not with answers, but with a call for international attention and solidarity with the people of Sierra Leone.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

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[A]

Hi there, I'm Ed Butler and welcome to Business Daily from the BBC World Service. Today we're back in Sierra Leone in the second of two programs looking at the emergence of a major drugs dealer in one of West Africa's poorest nations.

[D]

We're seeing Josh Lideckers, him being around, floating around, but according to the police, they do not have any record of him. The world's cocaine trade is bigger than it's ever been.

[A]

Now, with more cocaine comes more money, and some of that money is being used to purchase protection. Despite denials from the president's family, law enforcement agencies say Jos Lydekers, a wanted criminal, is now enjoying privileged status in Sierra Leone. What's going on? That's Business daily from the BBC.

[E]

It was January 2025. He made, like, front page news of my country, the Netherlands. Jos Leideck is the biggest drug criminal of our country living in Sierra Leone. I called my foreign investor. I said, well, maybe we should go there.

[A]

That's Sophie van Leeuwen. She's a Dutch TV Africa reporter with NTL News. In 2025, she went to discover how come a wanted fugitive appeared to be living openly in the capital, Freetown.

[E]

I went to press conference. This was one of the first things I did. And just before the Dutch asked Sierra Leone to extradite Jos Lydeckers, this was news. So I asked, what about him? Where is he? Are you protecting him? It was Chernoby, the Minister of Information. He said, we take it Very seriously. And we have our own investigation.

[A]

With her fixer, a local journalist called Joseph Taure, she decided to drive the next day to the area south of the capital where Jos Leidigers was reported to be living. This is Sophie and Joseph's account of what happened next.

[E]

So we go by car and we put, like, a press sign on the window to be very transparent about what we are doing there.

[F]

We met a police roadblock. They were searching everybody who was passing. Armed policemen, secret service, police officers, I would call them. They were in civil clubs. They were waiting for us.

[A]

That's unusual for Freetown, right?

[F]

Unusual like, who are you people? So where are you from? Then Sophie said, I'm from the Netherlands. You're what? You're a journalist? Then the man just whispered to his colleagues, like to say, we've got her. This is the person we are looking for.

[E]

But then someone started screaming. And then the chief said, well, this is a special security situation, whatever that meant. We turned the car around and we are escorted by a truck full of armed men through the city of Freetown to the Criminal Investigation Department.

[F]

You cannot imagine how I felt that moment. I was so nervous behind the steering, you know, the sirens.

[G]

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

[F]

There was a motorbike in front, the police motorbike to clear the way, as if they were carrying the president. I felt like hell was losing over me. That was the point I felt. They assassinated the media in Sierra Leone.

[E]

When we got there, I got out, I was surrounded by people like if I was a movie star. And I lost Joseph, my colleague.

[F]

I just abandoned my vehicle and I escaped.

[A]

You ran?

[E]

Yes.

[F]

It was like any jerk reaction, if you want to call it that way. I was in Freetown for a few days, hiding. Police were raiding my house. All my staff, my colleagues, they all had abandoned the office. Some have gone into hiding. You know, I saw myself in hell and I fled the country.

[A]

Meanwhile, Sophie Van Leuven remained in police custody, held for days without any formal charge.

[E]

They questioned me for about 15 hours, maybe seven hours the first day and same thing the second day. They wanted to know, who did you call before you arrived in Sierra Leone? Who are your sources? Who did you work with? They treated me as a spy, basically. And they took my phone, they took my laptop so they could read everything I did on those devices. And also, they didn't really give me food. So I. I did feel weakened after, you know, a while, and, well, maybe more scared, you know, because you start to wonder, will I get out? Got a bit. Bit Messed up, I think.

[A]

Eventually, after four days and diplomatic representations from her government, Sophie got her phone and her passport back. She was told she could leave the country. Her camera footage, though, had been wiped. She was never formally charged, and the Sierra Leonean government never publicly explained why they'd held her.

[E]

I was like, okay, so you let me go. I'm not a spy. I have an accreditation. And you just delete everything. You steal everything. So the Minister of Information was on the phone and he said, you are always welcome in Sierra Leone.

[A]

I guess the assumption you have is that all of this was inspired by Jos Lydicus himself.

[E]

Yes. The roadblock was there especially for us. Of course, they knew we were coming to stop us from going to Jus Leidekus. You feel like the government is working for him.

[A]

Now that you are out of Sierra Leone, do you fear or did you fear that they or Lydicus himself might still be after you?

[E]

Yes, in the beginning, yes. They know where I live and I have family. I think it's just. It's in your head. This is what a government like that does that just make you scared? You know, they intimidate you and they want you to be an example for others.

[A]

Dutch journalist Sophie Van Leuven. It does raise the question how directly involved was Jos leidekes himself in all this? Well, it's hard to be certain, but as we described in last week's Business Daily, there is video evidence placing him not just in Sierra Leone, but also very close to the government's leadership. Dutch crime and security reporter Gil Timmermans has been monitoring his known movements.

[H]

There's a video that's circulating on the Internet. It's brilliant. You see two very important people in the Sierra Leone, like the boss of immigration and the boss of law enforcement in one of the most exclusive restaurants in Chevalier. And Jos Leidek is shaking hands with them. He's wearing like a Versace shirt worth of $900. And even more, he's handing out gifts to one of them. He knows all the powerful people in Sierra Leone, not only the big bosses. He also knows the president. We hear he has a relationship with the daughter of the president. So you see the whole problem. How can you get someone out of Sierra Leone if he ever has a relationship with the daughter of the president of the country?

[A]

Giel Timmermans here on Business Daily from the BBC World Service

[B]

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[A]

I'm Ed Butler, and in today's show, the second of two we're looking at the activities of the convicted cocaine dealer and fugitive Jos Lydekkers, and at what he's doing in this small West African country. A woman sings as she pounds cassava leaf outside her mud house in the countryside. Life is pretty basic here in Sierra Leone. Straw roofs, subsistence farming. It's ranked among the world's 25 poorest economies. Florence Katter is a women's rights activist based in Freetown.

[D]

For a family who lives in an average of $50 a month, even to acquire a meal per day, it's hard. And we could do better. I think we could do better.

[A]

Sierra Leoneans are used to being disappointed absolutely.

[D]

Since independence, and we're still continuing. It's a shame to say it, but I think power corruption is what have shaped the mentality of our politicians. Most of them are living very lavish lives, which for me it's really worrisome. I think we could have done better than this.

[A]

Well, perhaps then we should hear from the politicians themselves. First, the opposition. It's claiming indiscriminate arrest and detention, not just of journalists, but also of its activists of late, using spurious charges. And it also points to the rising trade in cocaine that's now being recorded through its waters. The APC's parliamentary leader is Abdul Kargbo.

[J]

We have evidences that he's married to one of the president's daughters. And since the Dutch government asked for extradition, there has never been an attempt by this government to pursue him or to even release him to the Dutch government.

[A]

There were many allegations of corruption under your previous government when Ernest Bayker Roma was president. You think you would be better than this current regime.

[J]

In fact, when you look at the audit report, the total money that was accounted for in the previous government, if you combine four years, it is not even up to what is lost in just one year under the watch of this government. The previous government used to reprimand sitting ministers for corrupt practices. But in this government, no active minister has been arrested.

[A]

With Joss, as he's known, is he still being seen around the capital?

[J]

He's still in Sierra Leone. He's still in Sierra Leone. Till now, police are not even looking for him. There is no. There is no warrant of arrest for him. So he is as free as any citizen. I've heard that on several occasions that he's been protected by state securities.

[A]

So he's not only not being sought, he's actually being actively protected.

[J]

Yes, yes, we are sure of it because there is. I. Like I said, if it's been sought, there would have been a press release or warrant of arrest. The police is good at giving price tag to anybody who discovers somebody that is. That is wanted. But there has not been any such

[A]

in the case of just opposition leader Abdul Kargboth. In our previous episode, we did hear from Fatima Biot, Sierra Leone's first lady, who some believe may be preparing to run for the highest office in Sierra Leone when her husband, the president, completes his term in 2028. In a BBC interview, she denied all knowledge of Jos Leidekas, despite him being filmed just a few feet from her, right next to the President's daughter.

[D]

Do you know who Jos Lyedekus is? I have no idea who he is. You don't know who he is? No. So Joss Ladekkers is one of the most wanted criminals in Europe? I wouldn't know because I'm not a criminal, so I will not. He is a drug kingpin and he is said to be married to the President's daughter. Really?

[A]

The Dutch government is calling for EU wide sanctions against the Sierra Leonean government. A newspaper in the country has even reported an attempted Dutch military operation aimed at seizing Jos Leidicus while he's at sea. Although it says that plan's now been scrapped. Sophie van Leuven believes the fugitive, who has a €200,000 reward on his head, will no doubt be feeling the pressure.

[E]

I think he might be a bit stressed by now. Can he leave the country or is he actually locked up where he is apparently still safe? I think these are questions that should worry him.

[A]

You can argue, couldn't you, that the Sierra Leonean government, the Biot family, has kind of got itself in a corner because they'd have to admit it in order to get out of this situation.

[E]

This is problematic. It's also a reason to try to stay in Bauer, isn't it, to try to run for the next elections. This is the second term of the president, so he has to quit power quite soon. What will happen then? Will there be a new president? And will this president still be close to your sledeckers?

[A]

So it makes you fear for democracy?

[E]

Yes, of course. I mean, if you keep your people so poor and devastated, I mean, how can these people stand up against money, corruption, money, or against authorities? And Jos has given you presents. I mean, I would take them. I mean, this is maybe the only true economy that is driving Sierra Leone. It's completely corrupting Sierra Leone.

[A]

I requested an interview with Sierra Leone's president for this program. The request was declined. Julius Mardebio has never spoken publicly to the media on the subject. But I did visit the office of the Attorney General, Alpha Sise, who also serves now as Sierra Leone's Justice Minister.

[G]

Well, of course, I've been speaking with the Dutch government. I've tried to keep them informed of investigations that have been going on at the national level. We do note that the Dutch government is interested in an individual who is alleged to be based here in Sierra Leone running operations. We are looking at how we ensure sure that Sierra Leone is not used as a safe haven for presidents involved in the drug trade.

[A]

So, I mean, he's been widely seen. There are photos and videos of him with the president and the first lady in the last couple of years. Isn't he raising a family with the president's daughter?

[G]

I mean, I wouldn't know. I wouldn't know.

[A]

One of you don't know if he's raising a family with the president's daughter?

[G]

Look, the point is that, you know, we have said numerous times it's a matter that we take very seriously. Once the news broke out that this person is alleged to be based here in Sierra Leone, we immediately announced the start of investigations. Now, these are complex investigations and sometimes they go on for some time. You know, we understand. I don't know people's family, circumstances.

[A]

Well, I mean, there are reports online that he was seen even last week with an armed military escort going into a Freetown supermarket. You don't hear stories like that.

[G]

I honestly am hearing this for the first time. I didn't see this online, and I Spent a lot of time online. I didn't see this online. I didn't hear about it. I have only heard about this now.

[A]

Yeah, but you've been looking for him for a year. I mean, he's not walking around Freetown in disguise, is he? He's with a military escort. Your own government personnel, it would appear. How hard can it be to find a white man in that situation?

[G]

Well, I don't know whether there's a particular white man or several white men. I'm wandering around Freetown. I honestly wouldn't know. My office really doesn't have investigating powers. Those powers rest with the police. And I know that the police have been doing a really detailed job on this. And the police will come up with their findings. If he's confirmed to be the person of interest, that person will be arrested.

[A]

Okay, Minister, I'm going to put this plainly. You appear to a lot of people to be slow peddling this. You appear to have a wanted criminal wandering around Freetown. Some say you appear to be offering him protection. And you seem to be targeting opposition activists and journalists at the same time. They're calling this state capture and that Sierra Leone's democracy is itself under threat.

[G]

You know, the point is that. I think it's an exaggeration, honestly. You know, the point is every democracy faces its challenges, right? We say all that when these things happen. They are really not indictments of failure. They are indications of a democracy that is still finding its footing. I think we really forget the history that this country has worked. This country was Destroyed by an 11 year civil conflict since the war came to an end. It is really commendable that this country has held five democratic elections, two of which have actually led to the peaceful transfer of power to the opposition. It's a country that is not exposed to religious fundamentalism or terrorism financing.

[A]

So the next elections will be free and fair.

[F]

Of course.

[G]

Of course. I think that one is guaranteed. And this is a country of laws, so the laws will be applied.

[A]

Al FA Sisay, Sierra Leone's Attorney General and Justice Minister.

[F]

I feel the Western nations, the uk, the us, they have to step up. The Netherlands alone cannot fight this battle alone for that man to be extradited.

[A]

That's Joseph Toure, the Sierra Leonean journalist who for the last year has been living in hiding abroad. He still fears for his safety.

[F]

Everybody is now afraid to speak. Everyone and everyone knows that once they get all of you, you're finished. Sophie was charged for espionage. So obviously I knew if they had gotten me, mine would could have been worse because I'm a citizen of the county. We're talking about a very dangerous network of people. Some people had been killed because they were speaking against the government.

[A]

Do you think you will ever get to go back to Sierra Leone?

[F]

Nobody wants to go to hell. Me thinking of going to Sierra Leone now is like you thinking of going to hell.

[A]

So tell me about Jos now. What are you hearing about where he is and what he's up to?

[F]

Well, the gossip is that they say he's in Sierra Leone. He's gotten the most protected security guys you see around the president. He's changing locations every day. The government is okay with him because, I mean, he is bankrolling them. There are people who are saying he's like the finance minister of clu.

[A]

We've sought comment from the lawyer representing Jos Lydekkes in the Netherlands for this program. He's yet to respond to us. The Dutch journalist Sophie Van Leuven says more than anything right now, everyone's thoughts should be with the people of Sierra Leone. Do you think people are afraid?

[E]

They are. They are. I could see it. That's what people also told me. It is scary. It is dangerous. So you shut up. The democracy is dying in this situation.

[A]

Sophie Van Leuven and that's it for this edition of Business Daily. For now from me, take care.

[I]

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