Law enforcement officials have detained 34 individuals, including nationals from France, Belgium, and Algeria, following a fatal shootout in the early hours of the morning in a Dutch village, which is believed to be associated with a well-known drug trafficker.
Authorities in Overasselt, located close to the German border, advised residents to remain indoors and secure their homes as a precaution against any additional suspects potentially being at large.
At approximately 4 a.m. on Tuesday, a group of armed men wearing balaclavas approached a residence in Overasselt, leading to an exchange of gunfire that resulted in the death of a 51-year-old man, reportedly a security guard.
When police arrived at the scene, they came under fire, resulting in two officers sustaining injuries that were not life-threatening, according to police spokesperson Jolanda Aalbers. Authorities also confiscated several firearms, data storage devices, and vehicles during their response.
Local news reports suggest that the altercation is likely tied to the criminal activities of Dutch drug lord Jos Leijdekkers, known as Bolle Jos (fat Jos), who is one of the most sought-after criminals in the Netherlands. Leijdekkers has a history of convictions related to international cocaine trafficking.
He has reportedly resided in Sierra Leone for over three years and is said to be in a relationship with the daughter of the nation’s president, Julius Maada Bio.
The Het Parool newspaper reported that the gunfire was triggered by a dispute involving several hundred kilograms of cocaine allegedly trafficked by Leijdekkers’ gang.
Deputy chief prosecutor Monique Vinkesteijn indicated that a shooting occurred at the same location the previous year, linked to an ongoing dispute, although she did not disclose further information.
Vinkesteijn noted, “The group currently in custody has an international composition,” which includes individuals from France, Belgium, Algeria, and the Netherlands.
The prosecutor mentioned that the suspects face multiple charges, including murder, manslaughter, and conspiracy to commit kidnapping, with the possibility of additional arrests occurring in the future.
Joerie Minses, the local mayor, expressed the community’s shock at the violent incident, stating, “What transpired in Overasselt surpasses all boundaries. This is un-Dutch… Overasselt has been taken aback by a level of extreme violence that is entirely unacceptable.”
