Sierra Leone's information ministry said Sunday it was investigating media reports that European cocaine kingpin Jos Leijdekkers is in the country and benefiting from high-level protection there.

The public prosecution office has confirmed that the Netherlands’ most wanted drugs criminal Jos Leijdekkers, aka Bolle Jos (chunky Jos), is hiding out in Sierra Leone following reports by investigative platform Follow the Money and the AD.

The Netherlands and Sierra Leone are investigating reports that the Dutch cocaine kingpin Jos Leijdekkers is living in the West African nation. #EuropeNews

President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone says he does not know who Jos Leijdekkers is. The Dutch criminal known as Bolle Jos was tracked down in Sierra Leone after he was spotted in a video recorded by Bio’s wife sitting next to the president’s daughter,

Dutch authorities say one of Europe's most-wanted fugitives has been living in Sierra Leone for about six months. Jos Leijdekkers, 33, was sentenced in absentia to 24 years in prison on 25 June last year by a Rotterdam court for smuggling more than seven tonnes of cocaine.

One of Europe's most wanted fugitives, convicted cocaine smuggler Jos Leijdekkers, has found refuge and high-level protection in Sierra Leone, according to three sources with direct knowledge of the matter as well as photos and video footage seen by Reuters.

The Dutch Public Prosecution Service (OM) and police have confirmed that Jos Leijdekkers, one of the most wanted fugitives in the Netherlands, has been in Sierra Leone for more than six months. This announcement follows reports by AD and Follow the Money.