Dutch drug trafficker Bolle Jos sentenced to 14 years in Belgium's Costa case

Jos Leijdekkers, known as Bolle Jos, was sentenced by a Belgian court to 14 years in prison for his role in the large‑scale Costa drug operation. The case centres on the import of at least 25 tonnes of cocaine through the port of Antwerp, worth an estimated €3.5 billion on the street market. The sentence is one year below the 15‑year term sought by prosecutors.

Leijdekkers, who is wanted in the Netherlands and believed to be residing in Sierra Leone, has previously been sentenced in the Netherlands to 24 years for drug trafficking and ordering a murder, and to nearly 80 years in absentia in Belgium for other convictions. The court also handed sentences to co‑defendants: Nathan Steveniers received eight years, former civil guard Willy Van Mechelen nine years, his associate Tom Bastiaanse twelve years, and former biker gang member Geert Frisson thirteen years. Dutch authorities offered a €200,000 reward for information leading to Leijdekkers' capture.