Customs officers in Reykjavík confiscated 220,000 tablets last weekend, which are believed to contain a mixture of ephedrine and caffeine. Ephedrine is related to amphetamine and is illegal in Iceland.
Hördur Davíd Hardarson, the head of the Reykjavík Customs Department, told Morgunbladid this is the largest ephedrine delivery that has ever been confiscated in Iceland.
According to Magnús Jóhannsson, a physician and professor at the University of Iceland, ephedrine is popular among some athletes because it is believed to increase fat burning and improve stamina.
Jóhannsson said ephedrine was used as medicine, and in Denmark a mixture of ephedrine and caffeine was used for dieting pills, but was taken off the market two years ago in most countries.
The chemical has dangerous side affects and increases the risk of strokes, he said.
