Maada Bio is escalating intimidation tactics to control the coverage of the Dutch drug lord in Sierra Leone

Jos Leijdekkers, a.k.a. Boll Jos, remains in the headlines of Sierra Leone's newspapers despite the president's denial that he knows the wanted Dutch criminal Bolle Jos, reportedly his daughter's boyfriend or husband. 

Recently, videos surfaced showing Bolle Jos celebrating with high-ranking officials in Sierra Leone, prompting the government to announce that it has launched a search for the Dutch fugitive. 

Meanwhile, a Dutch journalist covering the Bolle Jos case was detained in Sierra Leone.

Shaken by her experience, journalist Sophie Van Leeuw left Sierra Leone and shared her observations about the oppressive methods used by the Maada Bio administration to silence dissent and restrict press freedom. 

This week, further reports emerged revealing that the Sierra Leone government is bribing and threatening local journalists to prevent them from reporting on the wanted Dutch drug trafficker, Jos Leijdekkers.

According to De Telegraaf, several reporters in hiding have disclosed that government officials offered them bribes of up to 5,000 euros.

Those who refuse the bribes face threats, including intimidation of their families.

"There is no freedom of the press in our country," one journalist stated from the United States, where he has sought political asylum. "Our government, including the president, supports the criminal group that Leijdekkers is associated with. Journalists no longer dare to write about this issue; it is extremely dangerous."

Leijdekkers has received a 24-year prison sentence in the Netherlands for cocaine trafficking, with additional investigations ongoing against him.

Dutch authorities allege that he imported tens of thousands of kilograms of cocaine into the Netherlands and was involved in violent crimes linked to drug smuggling, including kidnapping and murder.

He has also been sentenced to 13 years in prison in Belgium. The Dutch drug baron's presence in Sierra Leone was confirmed when he was seen attending a New Year's mass alongside the country’s president, sitting next to the president's daughter. 

He was later recorded partying with top officials in Sierra Leone. The Netherlands has made several diplomatic requests for assistance in apprehending Bolle Jos, but reports indicate that the Sierra Leone government has largely ignored these requests.