34-year-old Jos Leideckers, one of Europe's most wanted drug traffickers, was sentenced by a Rotterdam court to pay 96 million euros to the Dutch state. BTA reported this, citing the DPA agency, News.bg reported.
According to authorities, Leideckers has amassed approximately 127 million euros from cocaine trafficking. Part of this amount has already been compensated through the seizure and destruction of drugs worth about 30 million euros.
Leideckers has been convicted in absentia several times. In 2024 he received a 24-year sentence for drug trafficking and ordering a murder. However, he is still at large, with the latest information locating him in Sierra Leone.
It is unclear how the Dutch authorities will be able to collect the amount imposed by the court. The prosecution may take action to freeze and seize Leideckers' property and other assets abroad, but the ultimate success of such attempts remains questionable.
Leideckers is known to have imported large quantities of cocaine into Europe and used some of the profits to acquire expensive assets, including around 150 kilograms of gold.
In addition to the Netherlands, he is also the subject of serious charges in Belgium.