Overasselt Shooting Target Extradited in Massive Cocaine Smuggling Case

The man whose home was attacked by a heavily armed group in the Gelderland village of Overasselt has been extradited from Germany and now faces charges in the Netherlands for his alleged role in a massive cocaine smuggling operation.

Jan G., a 28-year-old from Overasselt, was arrested by German police on September 18 at a car park near Soest, about 150 km from the Dutch border, at the request of Dutch authorities. On October 16, the Dutch Public Prosecution Service (OM) confirmed his extradition to the Netherlands.

What happened in Overasselt?

On the night of August 31 into September 1, a group of dozens of heavily armed men descended on Jan G.'s home in the quiet village of Overasselt. They opened fire, killing 51-year-old security guard Berry Leenders and injuring two police officers who responded to the scene. The attackers were reportedly looking for Jan G. himself.

A video posted online shortly after the attack showed armed men accusing Jan G. of stealing a cocaine shipment and threatening to kill everyone he loved if he did not return it. The violence prompted a massive police response, with the village locked down for a day and over 30 suspects arrested. Most remain in pre-trial detention.

The cocaine connection

Just days after the Overasselt attack, on September 7, French customs officers at the port of Dunkirk intercepted a container arriving from Ghana. Hidden among plastic waste were nearly 4,000 kilograms of cocaine — with an estimated street value of €225 million. Dutch and French investigators quickly linked the seizure to Jan G. and his alleged role in the smuggling attempt.

Jan G. is now suspected of involvement in attempting to import that massive shipment. Another man was arrested in Dordrecht on September 4 in connection with the same cocaine haul.

Links to 'Bolle Jos'

Sources told Dutch media that the cocaine shipment is linked to the criminal organization of Jos Leijdekkers, better known as "Bolle Jos" — a Dutch drug baron who tops Europol's most wanted list. Three alleged associates of Leijdekkers have been arrested in Ghana in connection with the shipment. Leijdekkers' lawyers have denied his involvement in the Overasselt attack, and investigators have not yet established a direct link between the attack and the fugitive.

What this means for internationals in the Netherlands

While this case may seem distant from the daily life of expats and internationals, it underscores a persistent reality: the Netherlands remains a major hub for international drug trafficking, and the violence that accompanies it can spill into residential areas. The brazen nature of the Overasselt attack — a small village, a security guard killed, police injured — shocked the country and highlighted the reach of organized crime.

For those living here on a residence permit, the key takeaway is that Dutch authorities are actively cooperating with international partners (France, Germany, Ghana) to dismantle these networks. The Public Prosecution Service (OM) and police have shown they can respond swiftly — even if the investigation into who ordered the attack remains open.

What's next?

Jan G. is now in custody in the Netherlands, awaiting further legal proceedings. The investigation continues, with authorities still searching for the masterminds behind the Overasselt attack. Some suspects arrested in the aftermath have claimed they were recruited through social media or intermediaries with promises of easy money, and that they were threatened when they tried to back out.

The case is a stark reminder that the drug trade's tentacles reach far beyond the port of Rotterdam, and that its consequences can touch even the quietest corners of the Dutch countryside.

Sources: NL Times (Sep 18), DutchNews.nl, NL Times (Oct 16)