A pre-dawn shootout in the Dutch village of Overasselt has resulted in one fatality and two police officers sustaining non-life-threatening injuries, authorities reported. The incident, which occurred Tuesday morning, involved a group of heavily armed individuals who attacked a residence before engaging with responding law enforcement.
Authorities have arrested 34 people in connection with the violence. Local media reports have linked the incident to Jos Leijdekkers, a notorious Dutch drug lord also known as 'Fat Jos.' Leijdekkers is considered one of the Netherlands' most wanted criminals and has been convicted for his role in international cocaine trafficking.
The Dutch police's Special Intervention Unit was involved in the operation.
Reports suggest the gun battle may have stemmed from a dispute over a significant quantity of cocaine, estimated to be several hundred kilograms, allegedly trafficked by Leijdekkers' organization. The 51-year-old security guard was killed during the exchange of gunfire. Weapons, data storage devices, and vehicles were seized by police.
This is not the first violent incident at the property; a shooting linked to a "longstanding conflict" occurred at the same house last year, according to deputy chief prosecutor Monique Vinkesteijn. The suspects arrested are of international origin, including individuals from the Netherlands, France, Belgium, and Algeria.
Prosecutors stated that the arrested individuals could face charges ranging from murder and manslaughter to preparing a kidnapping, and further arrests are anticipated. The local mayor described the community as shocked by the extreme violence, calling it "un-Dutch" and unacceptable.
Leijdekkers, 35, has been the subject of an international manhunt. He has reportedly lived in Sierra Leone for at least three years and is said to be in a relationship with the daughter of the country's president, Julius Maada Bio. He is known to use the pseudonym Omar Sheriff but is widely referred to as 'Bolle' Jos. He has been sentenced in absentia to over 100 years in prison in the Netherlands and Belgium.
In May, Spanish authorities seized over 30 tons of cocaine, reportedly organized by Leijdekkers, from a cargo ship named Arconian that had departed from Freetown, Sierra Leone. The estimated value of this seizure was £700 million. 
Leijdekkers' activities are estimated by the Dutch Public Prosecution Service to generate up to £145 million per month. Encrypted communications, including Sky Encrochat messages, have provided investigators with insights into his role as a principal organizer of an international cocaine network. Prosecutors estimate his unlawful benefit from criminal activities to be at least £190 million. In addition, evidence suggests he purchased 975kg of gold for over £40 million and has been linked to apartments in Dubai and luxury vehicles.
The Netherlands has been increasing its efforts to apprehend Leijdekkers, who is believed to be living with impunity in Sierra Leone.
Previous attempts to apprehend Leijdekkers, including a special forces mission in international waters, have been aborted. Concerns have been raised that Sierra Leone, under Leijdekkers' influence, risks becoming a 'narco state' due to its role in the international drug trade between South America and Europe.