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[Fritong Post Newspaper @FritongPost]

The European Union in Sierra Leone @EUinSierraLeone has just added another layer of proof negating the government’s claim that @MalikAzmani letter was “fake”.

Following a Fritong Post fact-check that clearly labelled FALSE the government’s claim, we received a number of negative, insulting comments/remarks from people, probably beneficiaries of Jos Leijdekkers network, who know little or nothing about fact-checking.

Today, we’ve been vindicated by the European Union in Sierra Leone.

In case you missed the fact-check on Minister Bah’s claim, here’s the link 🔗 below.

https://t.co/EdlgMumW6G

@USEmbFreetown @UNODC @9rivermedia2

[Fritong Post Newspaper @FritongPost]

The Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC) has just released another fascinating, in-depth report on the trends and patterns adopted by the Jos Leijdekkers network to move large-scale cocaine shipments across borders.

Titled “The Arconian Operation: Anatomy of a Record Atlantic Cocaine Shipment (June 2026),” GI-TOC once again identifies Sierra Leone as a major storage and transit hub for cocaine destined for European markets.

The report examines the record seizure of 30.2 tonnes of cocaine aboard the vessel Arconian off the coast of Spain in May 2026.

According to the report, the Arconian departed from Freetown before heading north towards Europe, where authorities believe the cocaine was intended to be transferred at sea to smaller vessels for distribution across the continent.

Researchers argue that similar shipping patterns involving other vessels point to an organized trafficking network that may have been operating from Sierra Leone since at least 2024.

The report further claims that Sierra Leone has increasingly served as a warehousing location for large cocaine consignments arriving from Latin America before they are shipped onward to Europe. It notes that local fishermen have reported finding floating packages of cocaine off the country's coast in recent years, while several major offshore drug transfers have reportedly been detected in the region.

Researchers also identified links between the trafficking route and Dutch fugitive Jos Leijdekkers, who is believed by international investigators to have established operations in Sierra Leone. The report, however, emphasizes that many aspects of the network remain under investigation.

The findings raise concerns about Sierra Leone's growing role in international drug trafficking networks and the potential implications for the country's security, governance, and international reputation.

Here’s a link to the report 👇

https://t.co/1T2OtlbuQd

@JosefSkrdlik @EUinSierraLeone @Europol @USEmbFreetown @UNODC

[Fritong Post Newspaper @FritongPost]

Information Minister Chernoh Bah @Cee_Bah said a June 5 letter from Dutch MEP Malik Azmani @MalikAzmani calling for possible EU sanctions on Sierra Leone was "absolutely fake."

So what does the evidence show?
Read the full fact-check here: https://t.co/EdlgMuntWe

@ministerjenv @Europol @EUinSierraLeone @EUCouncil @UNODC_OrgCrime @USEmbFreetown

[Fritong Post Newspaper @FritongPost]

Information Minister Chernoh Bah @Cee_Bah said a June 5 letter from Dutch MEP Malik Azmani @MalikAzmani calling for possible EU sanctions on Sierra Leone was "absolutely fake."

So what does the evidence show?
Read the full fact-check here: https://t.co/EdlgMuntWe

@ministerjenv @Europol @EUinSierraLeone @EUCouncil @UNODC_OrgCrime @USEmbFreetown

[Fritong Post Newspaper @FritongPost]

The Netherlands is pushing for sanctions against Sierra Leone after bilateral talks over the extradition of convicted Dutch drug kingpin Jos Leijdekkers broke down.

Dutch politician and member of the European Parliament, @MalikAzmani said the bloc should deploy sanctions mechanisms and suspend development assistance to the West African nation for allowing its territory to be used as a “safe haven” for transnational organised crime syndicates and providing refuge to fugitives like Leijdekkers.

Dutch Justice Minister David van Weel @ministerjenv had previously echoed this position, calling it “bizarre” for the EU to support a country harbouring one of the world’s most wanted drug traffickers.

@UNODC_OrgCrime @Europol @EUinSierraLeone @USEmbFreetown

Read more: https://t.co/EjtZAtrCZz

[Fritong Post Newspaper @FritongPost]

A corporate initiative has seen the planting of 5,000 trees inside the Western Area Peninsula National Park, covering six acres of degraded forest where unchecked encroachment now threatens one of the Sierra Leone’s most crucial ecosystems and water catchments.

@Orange_sierra @orangoranges @UNEP

Read more: https://t.co/GwfaQ2oNnZ

[Fritong Post Newspaper @FritongPost]

Empowering Women Through Digital Skills

In the digital world today, digital literacy is more than a skill, it is a pathway to opportunity, innovation, and economic empowerment.

Join the FREE Digital Literacy Training for Women and gain practical knowledge in essential digital tools, online communication, internet safety, productivity applications, and more. Whether you are looking to enhance your career, grow your business, or build confidence in using technology, this program is designed for you.

Duration: 1 Month
Venue: 1 Alpha Wurie Drive, Hill Station, Freetown
Application Deadline: 10th June 2026

Apply Now: https://t.co/7EaVZLwHW9

Take the first step toward unlocking new opportunities and becoming digitally empowered.

#OrangeDigitalCenter #DigitalLiteracy #WomenInTech #orangesl #DigitalInclusion #WomenEmpowerment #DigitalSkills

[Fritong Post Newspaper @FritongPost]

French coach Didier Gomes Da Rosa has been named the new head coach of Sierra Leone’s national football team, Leone Stars, replacing Mohamed Kallon. The Frenchman arrives with a track record of leading two national teams to the Africa Cup of Nations. He has pledged to build a disciplined and competitive squad capable of achieving success on the continental stage.

@SLFA_sl @CAF_Media

Read more: https://t.co/2VARjPN6s3

[Fritong Post Newspaper @FritongPost]

It’s time to go green on World Environment Day 🌳

@Orange_sierra is planting 5,000 trees at Tacugama Forest Reserve with Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary.

You can volunteer through Engage For Change

1 tree = 1 step closer to a healthier Salone. Be part of it.

@orangeafrica

#WorldEnvironmentDay #OrangeSL #Tacugama #PlantTrees #Salone

[Fritong Post Newspaper @FritongPost]

The Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA) has strengthened health and safety protocols at Freetown International Airport as part of national efforts to enhance disease surveillance and preparedness amid Ebola concerns in the sub-region.

The enhanced measures include routine temperature screening, mandatory hand sanitization, increased public health awareness campaigns, heightened readiness at the airport clinic, and rapid emergency response arrangements.

These actions, SLCAA said, are designed to protect passengers, airport personnel, and the public while ensuring compliance with both national public health directives and international aviation safety standards.

#AviationSafety #PublicHealth #SierraLeone #SLCAA #FreetownInternationalAirport #DiseasePrevention #HealthSecurity

[Fritong Post Newspaper @FritongPost]

@Orange_sierra Foundation Breaks Ground for Digital Learning and Health Village in Bo

The construction of the Orange Foundation Village at Felei Tech City in Jorborhun Village, Tikonko Chiefdom will include:

📚 A Digital & Innovative Learning Centre
🏥 A Modern Medical Centre

Expected to be completed within 12–18 months, the initiative aims to improve access to education, digital skills, innovation, and healthcare services.

During the launch, the Foundation also donated educational materials to over 100 pupils and students.

Once completed, the facility will become a hub for learning, innovation, healthcare, and community empowerment in Bo District.

#OrangeFoundation #CommunityDevelopment #Education #Healthcare #Innovation #SierraLeone

[Fritong Post Newspaper @FritongPost]

Why is Sierra Leone’s international reputation taking a serious hit.

The country has come under heavy pressure and criticism for sheltering the Dutch cocaine kingpin Jos Leijdekkers, one of @Europol’s most wanted criminals.

Leijdekkers has been served multiple convictions in Belgium and the Netherlands for large-scale cocaine trafficking and other crimes.

Dutch authorities are reportedly pushing to block a €352m EU development aid to #SierraLeone after an extradition request was rejected.

Dutch Justice Minister @ministerjenv calls it a “bizarre” thing for the EU bloc to support “a country harbouring one of the world’s biggest drug criminals.” He says Leijdekkers criminally acquired wealth could “corrupt” the entire country’s system.

@EUinSierraLeone Ambassador has publicly urged the government to surrender Jos to face justice, warning that this case has severe implications for the country’s global perception.

[Fritong Post Newspaper @FritongPost]

*Dutch Government to Block €352m EU Aid to Sierra Leone Over Refusal to Extradite Jos Leijdekkers*

Dutch media outlet NOS Nieuws has reported that the Netherlands government has moved to block European Union aid to Sierra Leone, following the West African nation’s repeated refusal to surrender Jos Leijdekkers to European authorities.

Leijdekkers has been served multiple convictions in the Netherlands and Belgium for large-scale drug trafficking and ordering a murder.

According to the report, the Dutch government is intensifying efforts to secure support from other EU member states to halt the bloc’s development aid to Sierra Leone. Dutch authorities say Freetown has rejected every diplomatic effort to extradite the fugitive.

“It is of course bizarre that we facilitate or support a country that simultaneously offers a safe haven to one of the biggest drug criminals we know worldwide,” Minister of Justice David van Weel was quoted as saying.

The EU has allocated €352 million in subsidies to Sierra Leone for 2021–2027, plus additional funding through regional and international EU programs, the report states.

The report further stated that Minister van Weel considers the arrest of Jos Leijdekkers, also known as Omar Sheriff, one of his top priorities.

“We estimate that this man has an income of hundreds of millions of euros per month in a country with a gross national product lower than his income. That is, of course, going to completely corrupt such a country,” Weel said.

“That is why the cabinet wants to remove him from there,” the minister added, emphasizing that Leijdekkers must serve the combined 80-year prison sentence handed down in the Netherlands and Belgium.

In early May, van Weel said he tried to exert diplomatic pressure by speaking with his Sierra Leonean counterpart. He received the same response he has heard for six months: “Working hard on it, procedures are underway, police report almost finalized.”

The minister said he has “no illusion” that political dialogue alone will produce results. “So we are looking more broadly,” van Weel stated, pointing to European development funds as leverage.

[Crime Intel @WorldCrimeIntel]

Netherlands: Authorities are seeking to halt European Union development aid to Sierra Leone to pressure the country into extraditing convicted drug trafficker Jos Leijdekkers, known as Bolle Jos, who is facing about 80 years’ imprisonment in the Netherlands and Belgium.

The move comes amid ongoing delays in the extradition process, with Dutch officials frustrated by Sierra Leone’s responses. Leijdekkers, reportedly connected to President Bio’s daughter, is believed to operate from Sierra Leone.

[David van Weel @ministerjenv]

Georganiseerde criminaliteit ondermijnt onze veiligheid en rechtsstaat. Jos L. is daarvan een voorbeeld. We zetten ons al ruim een jaar in om hem naar Nederland te halen, zodat hij hier zijn straf kan uitzitten. We geven niet op en blijven alles doen wat mogelijk is.

[Fritong Post Newspaper @FritongPost]

A partnership between Orange and UBA has transformed the maternity ward at York community health centre, providing modern delivery equipment and oxygen support to improve maternal healthcare and encourage more women to seek skilled birth attendance.

https://t.co/tJFcTN4gan

[Fritong Post Newspaper @FritongPost]

Afrimoney, Ecobank launch prepaid visa card to boost financial inclusion in Sierra Leone - Fritong Post - https://t.co/eexIxeDdt5