Members of the European Parliament on June 5, 2026 called on the European Commission to take stronger action against Sierra Leone over allegations that the country is serving as a major transit hub for cocaine destined for Europe and a safe haven for individuals wanted or convicted in European Union member states.
In a statement addressed to the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, and European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela, lawmakers expressed concern over what they described as Sierra Leone’s failure to cooperate in extraditing suspected drug traffickers and other criminals sought by EU countries.
The statement noted that despite ongoing diplomatic engagements between the EU and Sierra Leone, no extraditions have been carried out to date. It further alleged that the West African nation has become an important logistical route for cocaine shipments entering European markets.
Citing the Global Organized Crime Index, the lawmakers said Sierra Leone is among the principal transit countries in West Africa for cocaine trafficking to Europe.
According to the statement, Sierra Leone is a signatory to the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime, which provides a legal framework for extradition under Article 16. However, the lawmakers argued that the country has not effectively implemented these obligations in relation to requests from EU member states.
The parliamentarians also referenced commitments made during the EU–Sierra Leone Political Partnership Dialogue held on December 16, 2025, where both parties agreed to strengthen cooperation against drug trafficking and transnational organized crime. They pointed to the interception by Spanish authorities of approximately 30 tonnes of cocaine aboard a vessel that reportedly departed from Freetown five months later.
The statement further highlighted the EU’s financial relationship with Sierra Leone, noting that the bloc has allocated €352 million to the country between 2021 and 2027 through the NDICI–Global Europe programme and other regional initiatives.
The lawmakers argued that the European Commission possesses leverage through development assistance mechanisms but has not attached conditions relating to cooperation in international criminal investigations and extradition proceedings.
As a result, they urged the Commission to consider using the suspension provisions available under the NDICI–Global Europe framework as a means of encouraging Sierra Leone to extradite suspected drug traffickers to EU member states.
They also called for the swift implementation of a proposed EU-wide sanctions regime targeting transnational organized crime networks and their facilitators.
The statement reflects growing concern within parts of the European Parliament over international drug trafficking routes and the role of transit countries in facilitating the movement of narcotics into Europe.
