Sierra Leone Ports Authority Chief Accused of Drug Trafficking

February 2, 2025

The Director General of the Sierra Leone Ports Authority, Yankuba Bio, has been accused of involvement in cocaine trafficking and processing. The allegations were made by opposition politician Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray, who claims Bio is linked to Dutch drug lord Jos Leijdekker.

Mansaray alleges that Bio has used his position at the country’s main port to facilitate illicit drug activities. The accusations follow the discovery of Leijdekker’s residence in Sierra Leone, raising concerns about high-level government involvement in the drug trade.

Meanwhile, the Dutch government has requested Leijdekker’s extradition. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison in the Netherlands for smuggling over 70,000 tons of cocaine. Authorities in Sierra Leone have denied prior knowledge of his presence, despite a video surfacing of him attending a New Year's mass with President Julius Maada Bio.

Sierra Leone has previously been identified as a key transit point for cocaine shipments from Latin America to Europe. The Director General has not yet responded to the allegations.