Turkish police have arrested Harry Leijdekkers in Istanbul at the request of Dutch authorities, according to Turkish and Dutch media reports, in a case linked to his brother, fugitive drug trafficker Jos Leijdekkers, known as “Bolle Jos.”
Harry Leijdekkers was detained on Sunday in Istanbul’s Pendik district on suspicion of laundering proceeds linked to international cocaine trafficking. Dutch prosecutors are seeking his extradition to the Netherlands, according to judicial sources cited in Dutch media.
His arrest comes amid wider investigations into the alleged criminal network of his brother, who is widely reported by international media and investigators to be based in Sierra Leone. Dutch authorities have reportedly engaged Sierra Leonean officials on extradition-related discussions, although no formal agreement exists between the two countries and Freetown has not confirmed his status.
The case follows reports of a major cocaine seizure near the Canary Islands, which European media say has been linked to West African trafficking routes associated with Sierra Leone.
Harry Leijdekkers has previously been detained in Turkey during earlier operations targeting associates of “Bolle Jos,” but was later released. He was again freed in 2025 before his latest arrest.
Dutch authorities continue to investigate members of the Leijdekkers family over alleged money laundering linked to international drug trafficking, according to media and judicial reporting.
