Freetown, 19th March 2026- A high-profile trial has begun in Belgium, drawing international attention to Sierra Leone after authorities seized a record 11 tonnes of cocaine smuggled through the Port of Antwerp in October 2023.
The drugs, valued at an estimated €550 million, were hidden inside a shipping container that originated from Sierra Leone, The Brussels Times reports. Belgian investigators say 22 suspects, including notorious Dutch gangster “Bolle Jos” Leijdekkers, are linked to the massive haul.
The case came to light when rival traffickers clashed at the port, prompting police to inspect the suspicious container. Customs officers uncovered 8,464 blocks of cocaine weighing 11.2 tonnes, making it one of Europe’s largest seizures.
Police later foiled another attempted robbery tied to the shipment, deepening suspicions of a vast criminal network. The 22 accused now face trial at the Termonde Criminal Court, in what Belgian media describe as a landmark case against organized crime.
For Sierra Leone, the trial raises urgent questions about how traffickers exploit West African ports and shipping routes. It underscores the need for stronger maritime security and international cooperation to prevent the country’s name from being tied to global drug cartels.
