The Secretary General of the All People’s Congress (APC), Lansana Dumbuya Esq, has made a startling revelation, alleging that Dutch fugitive and notorious drug trafficker Jos Leijdekkers, also known as Bolle Jos, is currently residing in Sierra Leone. Speaking at a press conference held on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at the APC Headquarters on Old Railway Line, Brookfields, Dumbuya firmly asserted that Leijdekkers is being harbored within the country and called for an independent and transparent investigation into his whereabouts.
Dumbuya emphasized that the presence of such a high-profile criminal in Sierra Leone has placed the nation under international scrutiny. He further alleged that the drug kingpin is being protected by none other than His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio. The APC, he declared, will continue to hold the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) government accountable for its handling of drug-related issues. According to him, the failure to curb drug trafficking and the increasing influence of cartels in the country reflect a deeper governance crisis. He also called for stringent measures to be put in place to enhance border security, arguing that the country’s porous borders have facilitated the movement of criminals and illicit substances.
Hon. Hawa Conteh of Koinadugu District reinforced Dumbuya’s claims, stating that the growing number of drug-related scandals in the country is a direct result of bad governance under the Bio-led administration. She pointed out that as long as youth unemployment remains at an unprecedented level, drug consumption will continue to thrive. The government, she argued, has failed to create meaningful employment opportunities for young people, instead limiting them to jobs such as car washing, which offer little financial stability. She criticized the administration for its lack of a strategic approach in tackling drug-related issues, stating that President Bio has not demonstrated a serious commitment to addressing the growing crisis.
Echoing similar sentiments, Hon. Sorie Osman Sesay, popularly known as SOS, described the 2025 national budget as a “Kush Budget and Kush Economy,” drawing a direct link between drug trafficking and economic instability. According to him, when a country becomes a hub for drug trafficking, it inevitably faces economic decline, with money laundering and illicit financial transactions escalating. He accused the government of using deceptive economic policies, particularly in its handling of staple food prices, such as rice, to mask deeper financial troubles.
Hon. Abdul Kargbo, the APC opposition leader in Parliament, voiced his concern over the broader diplomatic and international implications of the drug scandals plaguing Sierra Leone. He warned that the country’s embassies could face growing distrust from foreign governments, as Sierra Leone gains a reputation as a hub for drug trafficking. He passionately urged President Bio to take decisive action by handing over the fugitive drug lord, Jos Leijdekkers, to the Dutch government. The international media, he noted, has already begun associating Sierra Leone with organized crime, which could have severe consequences for the country’s global standing and foreign relations.
In his closing remarks, the Deputy Chairman of the APC, Ambassador Osman Foday Yansaneh, reiterated the party’s commitment to fighting for electoral justice. He called for unity among APC supporters and members, emphasizing that the opposition will remain vigilant in holding the government accountable on all fronts, including governance, security, and economic management.
The press conference concluded with a strong message from the APC leadership, making it clear that they intend to intensify their scrutiny of the SLPP administration and its handling of national issues, particularly the alarming rise of drug-related activities in Sierra Leone.