From Iceland — Arrested Drug Cop Possibly Connected To Entrapment Case

Arrested Drug Cop Possibly Connected To Entrapment Case

Published January 7, 2016

Andie Sophia Fontaine
Photo by
Mr.choppers/Wikimedia Commons

A police officer placed under arrest last month may have been connected to an entrapment case involving drug smuggling. The Chief of the National Police told reporters the matter underscores the need for a supervisory body for the police.

Stundin recently got in touch with Mirjam van Twuyer, a Dutch woman who was sentenced last year to 11 years in prison for taking part in a drug smuggling operation. Mirjam confirmed that a drug cop now in custody facing charges related to “an unnatural relationship between a police officer and criminals” was in the hotel room with her when a controversial entrapment operation was launched.

Mirjam was arrested at the hotel, where she was waiting for a delivery of drugs from one Atli Freyr Fjölnisson. Atli Freyr had been arrested while in transit with the drugs, sparking criticism that police had acted too quickly, and should have waited for the hand-off before making arrests. The matter led to different divisions of the police blaming one another for the operation going awry.

The police officer allegedly in the room with Mirjam at the time was reportedly the same one who was arrested last December. RÚV reports that another man, who has a criminal record involving drug charges, has been arrested in connection with the case.

Haraldur Johannessen, the Chief of the National Police, told Vísir that the case underscores the need for the creation of a supervisory body for the police force. Haraldur says that such an office would “increase trust and transparency”. Currently, there is no independent organisation that supervises police conduct.

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