Sierra Leone Dismisses Immigration Chief Following Drug Trafficker Scandal
Sierra Leone’s immigration chief, Alusine Kanneh, was dismissed after being filmed accepting a gift from Dutch drug trafficker Jos Leijdekkers. This incident suggests troubling ties between Leijdekkers and the Sierra Leonean political elite. The government faces allegations of providing refuge to Leijdekkers, who is on Europol’s most wanted list, prompting international concern and calls for action against drug trafficking.
The government of Sierra Leone has fired its chief immigration officer, Alusine Kanneh, shortly after a video surfaced showing him accepting a gift from Jos Leijdekkers, a notorious Dutch drug trafficker. The video, released by the investigative site Follow the Money, depicts Kanneh laughing at a social event where he receives the gift from Leijdekkers, who is believed to be hiding in West Africa.
This incident raises concerns regarding Leijdekkers’ connections with Sierra Leone’s political elite, with prior images reportedly showing him interacting with high-ranking officials, including President Julius Maada Bio and the president’s daughter. Andrew Jaiah Kaikai, the director of Sierra Leone’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, was also seen in the video.
Following the video’s release, President Bio terminated Kanneh’s employment, as confirmed by Information Minister Chernor Bah. Although Bah did not explicitly state the reasons for Kanneh’s dismissal, he noted that the president has the constitutional authority to hire and fire officials at his discretion.
Leijdekkers, who has earned the nicknames “Chubby Jos” and “Omar Sheriff,” is regarded as a significant player in the international cocaine trade by Europol. His presence in Sierra Leone became a point of contention, particularly after the First Lady, Fatima Bio, posted social media content featuring an individual resembling Leijdekkers at a religious ceremony attended by the president.
Opposition figure Mohamed Mansaray accused the government of providing sanctuary to Leijdekkers, who has been linked to the president’s daughter in various images. A Rotterdam court convicted him in absentia of murder and drug trafficking last year, sentencing him to 24 years in prison. Europol has issued a €200,000 reward for information leading to his capture.
Sierra Leone’s police declared a “manhunt” for Leijdekkers in early February but have yet to provide updates on the situation. Dutch Justice Minister David van Weel emphasized the urgency of the matter, indicating his discussions with Sierra Leone’s authorities to track down the fugitive, reiterating that criminal activity should not go unchecked in any region.
The dismissal of Alusine Kanneh highlights serious concerns regarding drug trafficking connections within Sierra Leone’s political landscape. The alleged ties between drug lord Jos Leijdekkers and high-ranking officials raise significant questions about governance and law enforcement in the region. Meanwhile, the ongoing manhunt for Leijdekkers reflects heightened international scrutiny on drug trafficking routes through West Africa, emphasizing the need for cooperative efforts to combat organized crime.
Original Source: punchng.com
