In an update to the massive cocaine seizure from the Arconian freighter reported on May 4, Spain's Guardia Civil has linked the record haul to the Netherlands-based Mocro Maffia and Dutch fugitive Joseph Johannes Leijdekkers, alias Jos El Gordito, who is believed to be orchestrating from Sierra Leone.
Following the interception of the Comoros-flagged Arconian cargo ship last Friday off Dajla, Western Sahara—as detailed in prior coverage—the investigation has uncovered ties to the Mocro Maffia, a Maghrebi-origin criminal syndicate operating from the Netherlands and controlling key European cocaine entry points like Rotterdam and Antwerp.
Sources close to the probe confirm the shipment's connection to Joseph Johannes Leijdekkers, 34, known as Jos El Gordito or Bolle. The fugitive has resided in Sierra Leone for two years, departing from Freetown port where the vessel originated on April 22 en route to Benghazi, Libya. Dutch authorities seek him on a 24-year sentence for trafficking over 7,000 kilos of cocaine, an armed robbery in Finland, and ordering a murder. As the partner of Sierra Leone President Maada Bio's daughter, he has evaded extradition despite a €200,000 Europol reward, according to The Telegraaf.
The operation, led by Guardia Civil's Unidad Central Operativa (UCO) with Unidad Especial de Intervención (UEI) support, remains under secrecy at the Audiencia Nacional.
