haarlemsdagbladMar 17, 2026, 11:16

Belgian prosecutors seek 13 years for Jos Leijdekkers over cocaine imports

The Belgian Public Prosecution Service has requested a 13-year prison sentence for Dutch drug trafficker Jos "Bolle" Leijdekkers for his involvement in importing approximately 11 tons of cocaine. The charges stem from a large drug shipment brought through the port of Antwerp in October 2023. Leijdekkers is one of 22 suspects whose cases were presented before a court in Dendermonde on Tuesday.

Netherlands World

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Based on reporting by haarlemsdagblad. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

Why so many international fishermen are casting their lines in the Spaarne this week

Haarlem is hosting the World Streetfishing Championship this Friday and Saturday, with fifteen international teams competing in the city's urban waterways. Participants will use technical skill and artificial lures to catch the largest fish, while defending champions Hungary and local teams prepare for the event.

Police planted listening devices in pedicab of suspected Romanian pimp gang

Four Romanian men are being tried in Amsterdam for allegedly running a criminal organization that exploited women in the red-light district through coercion and manipulation. Defense lawyers argue there is insufficient evidence for these charges, while prosecutors rely on surveillance recordings and victim testimonies to build their case.

Exhibition on femicide on display in Diemen for three weeks

A traveling exhibition highlighting the issue of femicide opens tomorrow in Diemen to share the stories of women killed by their partners. The display aims to raise awareness about domestic violence and provide information on recognizing early warning signs of abuse.

Transport region introduces hotline for reporting public transport nuisance in Amsterdam

The Vervoerregio Amsterdam is launching a two-year pilot program allowing passengers to report transit-related nuisance via a dedicated WhatsApp number. The collected data will be analyzed to help authorities strategically deploy enforcement staff, though the line is not intended for real-time emergency response.

How Amsterdam almost perished

American traffic expert David Jokinen previously proposed redesigning Amsterdam by constructing a vast network of highways to connect the city center with its suburbs. This radical urban planning vision would have significantly transformed the city's infrastructure had it been carried out.