The Reykjavík Metropolitan Police seized nearly three kilograms of MDMA crystals and 1,781 MDMA tablets in a major drug operation involving surveillance and counterfeit substances. Two suspects, facing charges with potential sentences of 10-12 years, remain in custody.
Surveillance operation
The Reykjavík Metropolitan Police is investigating a major narcotics case involving the seizure of nearly three kilograms of MDMA crystals and 1,781 MDMA tablets, Vísir reports.
According to two custody rulings from earlier this month, as quoted by Vísir, the police received information about a substantial quantity of drugs stored in an office building in Kópavogur. The substances had been concealed above ceiling panels on the premises. The police replaced them with counterfeit drugs and installed surveillance equipment.
On the evening of October 2, three men retrieved the substances. According to a police report, the men were clearly captured on video surveillance. After collecting the counterfeit drugs, two of the men drove off in a car, while the third was picked up by another driver heading in a different direction.
Police intercepted one of the cars in Reykjavík, finding the counterfeit substances inside. A subsequent search of one suspect’s home uncovered a significant quantity of narcotics, which were confiscated.
Denied involvement
As noted by Vísir, one of the three suspects denied owning the drugs, claiming he was merely giving a friend a ride and was unaware of what the friend was carrying.
The man was interrogated three times and always maintained his innocence, refusing to comment on images showing him and his alleged accomplices retrieving the substances from the ceiling. He claimed he had no knowledge of what they were removing from the ceiling.
According to the police, the suspect’s statements have been deemed “highly implausible” and inconsistent with the evidence “which establishes beyond a reasonable doubt the suspect’s involvement in the major drug offence.”
Another suspect initially refused to speak during police questioning and denied the police permission to access his banking records or examine his phone. In later questioning, he stated he knew nothing about the drugs but recognised himself in police footage.
The police also found his account implausible.
Risk of public disturbance
As noted by Vísir, the police seized 2,943 grams of MDMA crystals and 1,781 MDMA tablets.
In early November, the two suspects were remanded in custody until December 3. In its ruling, the Reykjavík District Court pointed out that the men are suspected of crimes punishable by up to 10-12 years in prison. The court stated that releasing the suspects at this stage could undermine public confidence in the justice system and potentially cause societal unrest.
