Recent reports from Nieuwsuur, based on findings by Clingendael and the Global Initiative, have unveiled alarming insights into the escalating crisis of Kush, a potent synthetic drug causing turmoil in Sierra Leone. The Netherlands and the United Kingdom have been identified as the main suppliers of Kush, which has emerged as a significant public health concern in the West African nation. The situation has escalated to such an extent that President Julius Maada Bio declared a state of emergency in April of the previous year. Kush, a relatively new addition to the drug market, is notorious for its affordability and devastating effects.
It primarily contains synthetic cannabis and, in approximately half of the cases, is laced with nitazenes—an extremely powerful painkiller reported to be significantly more potent than heroin. The consequences of Kush use are dire; many young individuals in Sierra Leone are seen wandering the streets in a zombie-like state, and local morgues are reportedly overwhelmed by the increasing number of fatalities linked to the drug. The scale of Kush trafficking is alarming, with the largest seizure of the drug in Sierra Leone coming from the Netherlands. In the spring of 2024, authorities intercepted a staggering 300 kilograms of Kush, marking a significant blow to the drug trade in the region. Investigations have revealed that a convicted cocaine smuggler from the Netherlands is allegedly one of the key figures in the Kush market. The research conducted within Sierra Leone’s criminal landscape consistently points to the Netherlands and the UK as primary sources of this dangerous synthetic drug.
The situation gained further notoriety in January when Jos Leijdekkers, a notorious Dutch drug criminal known as Bolle Jos, was spotted in a social media video attending a New Year’s church service alongside the president of Sierra Leone. Despite his high profile, there is currently no evidence linking Leijdekkers to the Kush trade. However, Kars de Bruijne, a researcher from Clingendael, emphasized that Leijdekkers is not an isolated case; indeed, other Dutch drug dealers are active in West Africa.
The influx of synthetic drugs from the Netherlands has been observed across multiple countries, and Dutch criminals are reportedly engaging in professional cannabis cultivation in the region. “Dutch criminals see West Africa as the promised land,” De Bruijne noted.
The lack of oversight and understanding regarding the drug trade in West Africa has raised significant concerns. Currently, only four Dutch police liaisons are stationed in Nigeria, Ghana, and Morocco to monitor the expansive West African region. De Bruijne highlighted the need for improved information exchange and collaboration, noting that the Netherlands is more focused on monitoring cocaine trafficking than addressing the outflow of synthetic drugs.
In response to these revelations, the Ministry of Justice and Security in the Netherlands stated that there are few indications of the country serving as a production or transit hub for synthetic drugs destined for West Africa. A spokesperson acknowledged the possibility but emphasized the importance of vigilance in monitoring the situation. As the crisis unfolds, the implications of Kush’s rise in Sierra Leone and its connections to Dutch criminal networks highlight the urgent need for international cooperation and intervention to combat the increasing threat of synthetic drugs in the region.
