Drug mules recruited online to smuggle cocaine into Iceland

The use of the internet to recruit drug mules for smuggling narcotics into Iceland is on the rise. This may partly explain why such a high proportion of mules caught at the border are foreign nationals. It could also reflect the growing presence of international criminal organizations operating in the country.

In recent weeks, mbl.is has reported on a significant increase in drug seizures at Keflavík International Airport, with cocaine being particularly prominent. By the end of May, police in Suðurnes had already seized more cocaine than in the entire year of 2024.

Multiple trafficking routes

In a written response to mbl.is , Stefán Sveinsson, Iceland’s liaison officer at Europol, confirmed that the trend indicates a greater volume of cocaine entering the country.

“Based on the quantities seized so far this year, it’s reasonable to assume an increase in imports, although it’s difficult to say definitively. The strong performance of customs and police authorities is also contributing to more seizures,” Sveinsson said.

He noted that most drug seizures occur at Keflavík Airport, but narcotics also enter the country through other routes such as the Norröna ferry, cargo ships, and postal shipments.

Most mules are foreign nationals

Earlier this month, police in Suðurnes stated that despite the sharp rise in cocaine smuggling cases, the basic patterns remain the same. Drug mules carrying the substances internally typically transport around 0.5 to 1 kilogram each. When drugs are discovered in luggage, the quantity is usually 3 to 4 kilograms per bag.

Police also noted that the vast majority of couriers are foreign nationals, with only one or two Icelanders caught smuggling drugs per year.

Purer product reaching the country

When asked whether the nature of cocaine imports has changed in recent years, Sveinsson pointed to increased supply and higher purity.

“Cocaine production has risen significantly. According to the UNODC World Drug Report 2024, coca plant cultivation increased by 143 percent between 2010 and 2022. This has made purer cocaine more accessible to criminal groups, including those trafficking to Iceland,” he explained.

“Today, more high-purity cocaine is reaching the country, typically arriving in 1 kg packages prepared in South America.”

No ties to Iceland

Sveinsson added that the high proportion of foreign mules may indeed be a sign of increased activity by international criminal networks in Iceland, but other factors are also at play.

“Foreign criminal organizations have expanded their operations in Iceland in recent years, and this may be one way that trend is manifesting. Increasingly, the internet is being used to recruit mules who have no connection to Iceland or to the networks orchestrating the smuggling,” he said.