Trial Opens for Alleged No Limit Soldiers Leader in Curaçao Mega-Case

Dutch fugitive criminal Jos Leijdekkers, known as 'Bolle Jos,' was convicted in absentia by a Belgian court on Thursday and sentenced to 14 years in prison for his role in a major drug trafficking case known as 'Costa.' The conviction adds to a growing stack of sentences across multiple countries, bringing his total outstanding prison time to well over 100 years. Leijdekkers, originally from the Dutch province of Brabant, has been a fugitive from justice for years and is believed to be one of the Netherlands' most-wanted criminals. He has been linked to large-scale international drug smuggling operations, with connections traced through various Caribbean and European jurisdictions, including Curaçao. His continued evasion of authorities despite mounting convictions underscores the challenges law enforcement faces in apprehending high-profile international fugitives. The Belgian ruling is the latest in a series of legal proceedings that have found him guilty across multiple jurisdictions.

Curaçao police arrested a 24-year-old man on Thursday morning in connection with a residential burglary in the Villapark Zuurzak neighborhood. The arrest was confirmed by the Korps Politie Curaçao (KPC), the island's national police force. The incident took place in Zuurzak, a residential area on the island. Authorities have not released additional details about the suspect's identity or the circumstances of the break-in. The swift arrest suggests police were able to act on leads or evidence gathered at the scene. No information has been provided regarding whether any property was stolen or if anyone was harmed during the burglary.

Emergency services in Emmen, the Netherlands, recovered the body of a deceased person from the Kleine Rietplas lake on Wednesday, according to Drenthe police. The discovery was announced by local authorities via the social media platform X. The victim has been identified as a drowning victim, though further details about the individual's identity have not been released. The circumstances surrounding the death remain under investigation. While the incident occurred in the Netherlands rather than Curaçao, the story was picked up by the Curaçao-based news outlet Nu.cw, reflecting the outlet's broader Dutch-language news coverage.