Police Believe Meth Is Being Manufactured In Iceland

Increased consumption of methamphetamine in Iceland has led police to believe it is being manufactured here.

Speed is not an uncommon drug in Iceland, although it has long been imported. RÚV reports that police believe there are indications that meth has recently become a home industry.

Runólfur Þórhallsson, the assistant chief superintendent of the police, told reporters both the strength and consumption of speed in Iceland have increased considerably. So much so, in fact, that it is considered highly likely that some of it is being made here.

However, a distinction must be made between amphetamine and methamphetamine. Amphetamine-related cases have appeared in court about 1,100 times since 2006. By contrast, only 76 cases involving methamphetamine have appeared in court, but 30% of those cases are from last year – nine since April alone.

How and where meth in Iceland is being produced is still not exactly clear. However, one essential ingredient in the manufacturing of methamphetamine is anhydrous ammonia, used in many domestic industries. In recent years, anhydrous ammonia imports to Iceland have increased. Some of this volatile substance may be being utilised for producing meth in Iceland.