Record Drug Seizures Reported at Iceland’s Keflavik Airport in 2025

Key Takeaways

• Keflavik Airport seized over 40 kg solid cocaine and 9.78 liters liquid cocaine by June 2025.
• 20,576 OxyContin tablets confiscated in first five months, nearly triple 2024’s total.
• Authorities report rising drug smuggling with new liquid cocaine and counterfeit pills threats.

Icelandic authorities are reporting a record surge in drug seizures at Keflavik Airport in 2025, marking a turning point in the country’s ongoing fight against international drug trafficking. In just the first five months of the year, police and customs officials have already confiscated more illegal drugs than in any previous full year, raising urgent questions about border security, public health, and the resources available to those working on the front lines. This sharp increase is not only a local concern but also reflects broader global trends in drug smuggling and organized crime.

Record-Breaking Drug Seizures: What’s Happening at Keflavik Airport?

As of June 2, 2025, Keflavik Airport—Iceland’s main international gateway—has seen a dramatic rise in drug seizures. Icelandic authorities have already confiscated 40.26 kilograms of cocaine in solid form, with projections suggesting the total could reach at least 60 kilograms by the end of the year. This is a significant jump from the 35.49 kilograms seized in all of 2024 and 41.25 kilograms in 2023.

The most notable change is the sharp increase in liquid cocaine seizures. In 2025, customs officers have already seized 9.78 liters of liquid cocaine, compared to just 3.23 liters in all of 2024 and none in 2023. This shift points to new and more sophisticated smuggling methods being used by traffickers, making detection and enforcement more challenging for officials.

The numbers for other drugs are just as alarming:

• Cannabis: 109.65 kilograms seized so far in 2025
• OxyContin and similar tablets: 20,576 tablets confiscated

To put these figures in perspective, the number of OxyContin tablets seized in the first five months of 2025 is already nearly triple the total for all of 2024 and double the amount from 2023.

Drug Seizure Statistics at a Glance

These numbers show that Keflavik Airport is now a major entry point for illegal drugs into Iceland 🇮🇸, and the scale of the problem is growing rapidly.

How Are Drugs Being Smuggled? New and Dangerous Methods

Icelandic authorities have noticed that smugglers are using more creative and risky methods to get drugs past border controls. One of the most worrying trends is the use of liquid cocaine, which is often hidden in containers or even carried inside people’s bodies. This method is not only harder to detect but also extremely dangerous for the individuals involved. In one case, an Icelandic man needed emergency surgery when one of the 42 drug packages he was carrying internally began to leak.

Another major concern is the rise in counterfeit pharmaceuticals. In April 2025, customs officers at Keflavik Airport seized 20,000 fake OxyContin tablets. These tablets, with a street value of 115 million ISK, contained nitazene—a highly potent synthetic opioid—rather than the usual oxycodone. Nitazene is much stronger than oxycodone and can be deadly even in small amounts, making these fake pills especially dangerous for users.

The People Behind the Numbers: Who Is Affected?

The surge in drug seizures at Keflavik Airport affects many different groups:

• Travelers and immigrants: Increased checks and stricter controls can lead to longer wait times and more invasive searches, especially for those coming from countries with higher rates of drug trafficking.
• Customs and police officers: Staff are under growing pressure to keep up with the rising number of cases, often without enough resources or modern equipment.
• Local communities: The presence of more drugs, especially dangerous synthetic opioids, raises the risk of addiction, overdose, and other public health problems.
• Families of those involved in smuggling: Many people caught smuggling drugs are recruited by organized crime groups and may face serious legal consequences, including long prison sentences.

Why Is This Happening Now? Background and Global Trends

Several factors are driving the increase in drug seizures at Keflavik Airport:

• Global drug supply changes: There is more cocaine available in Europe, while demand in the United States 🇺🇸 has dropped. At the same time, production in South America has increased, leading to more drugs being shipped to Europe and, by extension, Iceland 🇮🇸.
• Pandemic effects: The COVID-19 pandemic temporarily disrupted drug supply chains, but recent evidence suggests that consumption and trafficking have bounced back to pre-pandemic levels.
• Iceland’s location: As an island nation, Iceland 🇮🇸 is both isolated and connected. Its main airport and ferry terminal are key entry points for goods and people, making them attractive targets for smugglers.

Challenges Facing Customs and Law Enforcement

Despite the growing threat, customs operations at Keflavik Airport are struggling with several serious problems:

Staffing Shortages

The number of passengers passing through Keflavik Airport has nearly tripled over the past decade, from just over 3 million in 2013 to 8.5 million in 2024. However, the number of customs officers has stayed about the same. This means each officer is responsible for many more people and bags than before, making it harder to catch every smuggler.

Outdated Facilities

Customs officers are working in facilities that have not been updated for decades. According to Ingvi Steinn Jóhannsson, chairman of the Icelandic Customs Association, the customs area still has its original ceiling panels, which he jokes could belong in a museum. This lack of modern equipment and comfortable workspaces makes it even more difficult for officers to do their jobs well.

Lack of Cooperation

Jóhannsson has also criticized Isavia, the company that operates the airport, for not doing enough to support customs officers. He says there is a lack of understanding and cooperation when it comes to meeting the needs of those responsible for keeping Iceland 🇮🇸 safe from illegal drugs.

Official Statements: What Are the Experts Saying?

Jón Halldór Sigurðsson, a police officer who leads organized crime investigations for the Suðurnes Police, has said, “We are seeing a very large year-on-year increase, and we’re already on track for a record year.” This statement highlights just how serious the situation has become.

Jóhannsson, the customs association chairman, points out that organized crime is always changing and adapting. “Organized crime knows no borders and is diverse, constantly evolving. What happens elsewhere also happens here, with relatively short notice,” he explains. He also shares his vision for the future: “Efficient, fast and reliable customs guarding that first and foremost protects society from certain dangers and at the same time brings honest passengers home in an efficient manner.”

The Bigger Picture: Iceland’s Place in the Global Drug Trade

The situation at Keflavik Airport is not unique. Many countries across Europe are seeing similar increases in drug trafficking, especially as organized crime groups become more international and use new technology to avoid detection. Iceland 🇮🇸, because of its location and relatively small size, faces special challenges. The country is part of the Schengen Agreement, which allows for open borders between many European countries. While this makes travel easier for most people, it also means that Iceland 🇮🇸 must work even harder to control its borders and stop illegal drugs from entering.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the rise in drug seizures at Keflavik Airport is part of a larger trend affecting many European countries. The report notes that increased cooperation between police and customs agencies across Europe is essential, but Iceland’s geographic isolation makes this work even more demanding.

How Are Icelandic Authorities Responding?

Icelandic authorities are taking several steps to address the growing problem:

• Increasing surveillance and inspections: Customs officers are using more advanced scanning equipment and conducting more thorough searches of passengers and luggage.
• International cooperation: Iceland 🇮🇸 is working closely with police and customs agencies in other countries to share information and track organized crime groups.
• Public awareness campaigns: Authorities are warning travelers about the dangers of carrying drugs, even unknowingly, and the severe penalties for those caught smuggling.

However, these efforts are often limited by the challenges mentioned earlier, such as not having enough staff or modern facilities.

Implications for Travelers, Immigrants, and the Public

The rise in drug seizures at Keflavik Airport has several important implications:

• Stricter border controls: Travelers, including immigrants and returning residents, should expect more questions, longer wait times, and possibly more searches when entering Iceland 🇮🇸.
• Legal risks: Anyone caught smuggling drugs faces serious criminal charges, including long prison sentences and heavy fines. Even being found with counterfeit prescription drugs can lead to arrest.
• Health risks: The presence of dangerous synthetic opioids like nitazene in fake pills increases the risk of overdose and death among users.
• Community impact: More drugs in the country can lead to higher rates of addiction, crime, and social problems.

What Should Travelers and Residents Do?

If you are traveling to or from Iceland 🇮🇸, especially through Keflavik Airport, keep these tips in mind:

• Do not carry packages or bags for others unless you are absolutely sure of their contents.
• Be aware of the risks of carrying prescription medications. Make sure you have a doctor’s note and that your medicine is legal in Iceland 🇮🇸.
• Report suspicious activity to customs officers or police.
• Stay informed about the latest rules and regulations by checking official government sources, such as the Icelandic Directorate of Customs.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Icelandic Authorities?

If current trends continue, 2025 will be the busiest year ever for drug seizures in Iceland 🇮🇸. Law enforcement agencies are preparing for even more cases, but they will need more resources, better facilities, and stronger international partnerships to keep up.

The evolving nature of drug smuggling—especially the rise in liquid cocaine and counterfeit pharmaceuticals—means that customs officers must constantly adapt their strategies. As Jóhannsson notes, the job is never finished: “Organized crime is always changing. What happens elsewhere can happen here very quickly.”

Conclusion: Key Takeaways and Practical Guidance

The record-breaking drug seizures at Keflavik Airport in 2025 are a clear sign that Iceland 🇮🇸 is facing new and serious challenges in the fight against international drug trafficking. The situation affects not only law enforcement and customs officers but also travelers, immigrants, and the wider public.

Key points to remember:

• Drug seizures at Keflavik Airport have reached record levels in 2025, with more cocaine, liquid cocaine, cannabis, and OxyContin tablets confiscated than ever before.
• Smuggling methods are becoming more sophisticated and dangerous, including the use of liquid cocaine and counterfeit pills containing deadly synthetic opioids.
• Customs operations are under strain, with not enough staff and outdated facilities making it harder to keep up with the growing threat.
• Travelers and immigrants should expect stricter controls and be aware of the risks of carrying drugs or prescription medications.
• Icelandic authorities are working hard to respond, but more resources and international cooperation are needed.

For the latest information on customs rules and drug enforcement at Icelandic borders, visit the Icelandic Directorate of Customs. Staying informed and following the law is the best way to avoid trouble and help keep Iceland 🇮🇸 safe.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the situation at Keflavik Airport is part of a wider trend across Europe, and only through continued vigilance, adaptation, and cooperation can Iceland 🇮🇸 hope to meet this growing challenge.

Learn Today

Keflavik Airport → Iceland’s main international airport and primary drug entry point.
Liquid Cocaine → A smuggling form of cocaine dissolved into liquid, harder to detect.
OxyContin → A prescription opioid pain medication often counterfeited by traffickers.
Nitazene → A potent synthetic opioid found in counterfeit OxyContin tablets.
Customs → Government agency controlling import/export and enforcing drug seizures at borders.

This Article in a Nutshell

In 2025, Keflavik Airport faces record drug seizures, including liquid cocaine and counterfeit opioids, straining customs resources amid rising global trafficking trends. Authorities increase inspections and warn travelers about stricter controls and health risks, highlighting Iceland’s critical role in combating evolving international drug smuggling methods.
— By VisaVerge.com