“Organized crime knows no borders”
Customs officers at Keflavik Airport recently discovered a large shipment of counterfeit OxyContin tablets that contained the life-threatening substance nitazene instead of oxycodone, which is a traditional ingredient in OxyContin. mbl.is/Eggert Jóhannesson
Ingvi Steinn Jóhannsson, newly elected chairman of the Icelandic Customs Association and Chief Customs Officer at Keflavík Airport, has praised customs officers for their professionalism and efficiency following the seizure of 20,000 counterfeit OxyContin pills—a drug shipment that, instead of oxycodone, contained nitazene, a dangerously potent synthetic opioid.
“We are very pleased with the professional and efficient work in challenging circumstances,” Jóhannsson told mbl.is , emphasizing the critical role customs plays in safeguarding society from dangerous substances.
Customs: Overworked and undermanned
In a statement issued by the Customs Association, the importance of front-line customs officers was highlighted, noting their key role in national security, particularly in intercepting drugs and contraband.
Jóhannsson underscored that although passenger numbers at Keflavík Airport have nearly tripled—from just over 3 million in 2013 to 8.5 million in 2024—the number of customs officers has remained largely unchanged.
“Organized crime knows no borders and is diverse, constantly evolving. What happens elsewhere also happens here, with relatively short notice,” he said, stressing the analytical demands of the job and the intelligence-sharing partnerships customs maintains with European authorities.
Customs officers working in outdated conditions
Despite the importance of their work, Jóhannsson drew attention to outdated facilities at Keflavík Airport, where customs officers still operate under conditions that haven't changed for decades.
“We are in the only place in the building where the original ceiling panels are still there—these burgundy fiberboards which are of historical value that could belong in a museum,” he remarked.
Jóhannsson also expressed frustration with Isavia, the company that operates the airport, citing a lack of understanding and cooperation in addressing the needs of customs officers.
Customs officers at Keflavík Airport seized 20,000 OxyContin tablets last week that were being smuggled into the country. mbl.is/Eggert Jóhannesson
Round-the-clock operations, complex tasks
The customs team operates 24/7, not only controlling the flow of passengers and cargo but also managing traditional tasks like import and export clearance.
The recent drug seizure—an alarming case involving counterfeit pills containing nitazene—illustrates the dangerous and evolving threats customs officers face.
“Fast, Reliable, Protective”
Asked about the future of customs operations, Jóhannsson was unequivocal:
“Efficient, fast and reliable customs guarding that first and foremost protects society from certain dangers and at the same time brings honest passengers home in an efficient manner.”
With organized crime becoming increasingly global and sophisticated, Iceland’s customs officers remain on the front lines of national security, albeit with growing challenges and outdated infrastructure.
