{
  "id": 7332231,
  "title": "Ghanaian authorities arrest Leijdekker’s accomplices linked to drugs seized in France",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/ghanaian-authorities-arrest-leijdekkers-accomplices-linked-to-drugs",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-14T13:51:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Ghana Business News",
    "slug": "ghana-business-news",
    "url": "https://www.ghanabusinessnews.com/2026/09/14/ghanaian-authorities-arrest-leijdekkers-accomplices-linked-to-drugs-seized-in-france/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ghanaian security forces have apprehended three individuals linked to Jos Leijdekkers, the notorious drug lord sought by European authorities. The arrests come in the wake of a significant cocaine seizure in France, where 3.9 metric tons of the drug were intercepted on a cargo ship traveling from Ghana to Antwerp, Belgium. French customs officials seized the shipment at Dunkirk, leading to the arrest of one suspect, Desmond Curiel, a Dutch-Ghanaian with ties to Leijdekkers.\n\nThe Ghana Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) confirmed the arrests on September 14, 2026, asserting that the suspects were involved in facilitating Leijdekkers' illicit activities in Ghana. Curiel, identified as an important accomplice, is believed to be hiding in Sierra Leone. The commission's statement highlighted the recent interception of the cocaine shipment, which was reportedly linked to Leijdekkers' broader criminal network.\n\nThe arrest of Curiel is seen as a significant setback for Leijdekkers' criminal enterprise. Dutch news outlets report that Curiel has a history of violent crimes, including armed robbery and violent robberies. Moreover, Leijdekkers, also known as \"Bolle Jos,\" has been the subject of multiple absentia sentences in Belgium for his role in drug trafficking and murder. Belgian authorities have repeatedly sought his extradition from Sierra Leone, despite the lack of an extradition treaty between the two nations. Sierra Leone has consistently denied Leijdekkers' presence within its borders.",
  "summary": "Ghanaian security authorities have announced the arrest of three persons connected to the most wanted drug lord in Europe, Jos Leijdekkers, who are also linked to the recent shipment of cocaine seized in France. The post Ghanaian authorities arrest Leijdekker’s accomplices linked to drugs seized in France appeared first on Ghana Business News .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}