Iceland is now one of sixteen European countries where the largest organized crime groups from Brazil are believed to operate, according to a report by Icelandic national broadcaster RÚV. South American criminal organizations have expanded their activity across Europe in recent years.
These South American groups are also believed to be active within Iceland, though the specific organizations were not named. The extent of their operations or concrete evidence behind this assessment has not been disclosed by authorities.
Alongside this, the smuggling of cocaine into Iceland has increased significantly, RÚV reported. However, exact figures or growth rates were not made public.
To address these challenges, a government minister has stated that the police force will be strengthened by merging agencies. Details about which minister made the statement, or a timeline for the merger, have not yet been provided.
Sources
- RÚV (first reported) in Icelandic
