Pre-trial detention extended in Straumsvík drug case

Pre-trial detention for those accused in the Straumsvík drug case has been extended until September 17, mbl.is reports, citing Ríkisútvarpið. By then, 12 weeks will have passed since the suspects were first arrested, meaning an indictment must have been issued by that date.

Three Icelanders among those detained

The Straumsvík case is the largest drug case ever uncovered in Iceland. It concerns the smuggling of 106 kilograms of cocaine from Brazil in June aboard the cargo ship Koznitza. The drugs were concealed on the ship, then collected by a small boat while the vessel was anchored off Straumsvík and taken ashore. Police arrested some of those believed to have been involved in the operation.

Nine people are being held in connection with the case, including Brazilian and Romanian nationals and at least three Icelanders. Two of them are Lúther Ólason and Lárus Freyr Einarsson.