Icelanders arrested in Spanish drug bust

Cannabis plants.

Cannabis plants. Photo: Júlíus Sigurjónsson

Spanish police have arrested four Icelanders in connection with the discovery of one of the largest marijuana factories ever found in Europe, reports Icelandic national broadcaster RÚV.

The factory was discovered in an industrial area in the town of Molina de Segura in the Spanish region of Murcia, not far from the popular east-coast holiday destination of Alicante.

The factory is described as “the most technologically advanced ever found in Europe”. The factory’s monthly production capability of marijuana is estimated at 10 tonnes – with a street value in Iceland of ISK 30 billion (approx. €211 million). The produce was destined for the Netherlands.

A 58-year-old Iceland is reportedly registered as the landlord of the property used to produce the drugs. He was arrested this weekend, along with three presumed accomplices – also Icelanders – as they tried to flee the country by car and plane.

A number of Dutch nationals have also been arrested in connection with the case.

Irregularities in the town’s electricity and heat supply raised police suspicions about the factory, According to RÚV, the facilities had been rented under the pretext of manufacturing insulation material.

However, no electricity or heat contracts were ever entered into and the marijuana producers reportedly hacked into the network and stole the electricity and heat they required.

The RÚV news report (in Icelandic) can be found here.

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