Suspect in major Icelandic police investigation remains abroad

A man suspected in a major investigation into drug offences and money laundering is abroad and has not been questioned, mbl.is reported Thursday.

According to mbl.is sources, the man is an Icelandic owner of a sandwich shop and has been urged to travel to Iceland in connection with the investigation. The Capital Region Police would not 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 their homes, but not at businesses linked to them. Sources told mbl.is that only a small amount of drugs was found. The investigation is focused in particular on alleged money laundering, and police have not ruled out investigating the case as organised criminal activity.

Some of those arrested have links to a sandwich shop, a real estate company, a construction firm and a car dealership. The man now abroad has also been involved in several 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 in custody on Wednesday, according to police speaking to mbl.is.