Suspect in major drug and money laundering probe is abroad

One of the men suspected in a major investigation into drug offences and money laundering is abroad and has not been questioned, mbl.is reports, citing sources. The man, an Icelandic owner of a sandwich shop, has been urged to return to Iceland in connection with the investigation.

Police in the capital region declined to confirm that a suspect was abroad or that they had been in contact with him.

Seventeen people were arrested in police operations last week. Searches were carried out at suspects’ homes, but not at businesses linked to them, police said. Sources cited by mbl.is said investigators found only a small amount of drugs during the searches and that the inquiry is focused in particular on suspected money laundering.

Chief Superintendent Elín Agnes Eide Kristínardóttir has not ruled out the possibility that the investigation could also examine suspected organised criminal activity. Some of those arrested have links to a sandwich shop, a real estate company, a construction firm and a car dealership. One was an employee of the car importer B&L.

The man who is abroad has also been involved in various businesses, including restaurants and a real estate development project, and has owned construction companies that later went bankrupt.

Six people were remanded in custody last week. Two were still being held as of Wednesday, according to police.