Sierra Leone is a Major Cocaine Trafficking Hub to Europe

Sierra Leone, like Guinea-Bissau and Mali in West Africa, has become a transit hub for cocaine trafficking to Europe, with coastal Africa playing a central role for transnational organized crime networks.

These networks, including those reportedly led by convicted Dutch trafficker Jos Leijdekkers, exploit the region's strategic geographic location between Latin American production zones and European consumer markets.

According to the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, cocaine trafficking represents one of the most profitable criminal economies, encouraging sophisticated networks to involve local and regional actors, and to invest in infrastructure and protection.

Enhanced enforcement on direct Latin America–Europe routes and improved trade connectivity have made West Africa an attractive alternative for traffickers, who exploit legitimate trade to conceal shipments.

Cocaine shipments are often stored, repackaged, and transferred between modalities in West Africa before reaching Europe.

This trade undermines governance through corrupt protection payments and has led to increased cocaine leakage into domestic markets.

All coastal West African countries remain vulnerable as maritime transshipment hubs.

The Global Initiative mapped local cocaine prices in 2025, finding the lowest figures in Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, and Mali—18 euros per gram in the first two, and 20 euros in Mali—suggesting ample supply. Regional prices may rise to 25 euros per gram in Côte d'Ivoire.

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