Human Trafficking Suspect Arrested In South Iceland

Police raided a workplace in the south Iceland village of Vík, where a man was arrested on suspicion of human trafficking.

Vísir reports the raid involved not only South Iceland police, but also police from Suðurnes and a special human trafficking task force from Reykjavík. The national tax office and the Directorate of Labour were also involved.

South Iceland assistant police superintendent Þorgrímur Óli Sigurðsson told reporters one man was in custody and is suspected of engaging in human trafficking.

Two women were also discovered at the location and are thought to have been held there against their will, and forced to work. They, and the suspect in custody, are reportedly of foreign origin.

Police would not disclose the location nor even what kind of business the workplace engages in. However, last month it was brought to light that two Polish women were being made to work against their will at an unnamed guesthouse somewhere in South Iceland. Police have not disclosed if the two cases are connected or one and the same.

UPDATE: Vísir now reports that the two women were being locked in a basement and forced to sew clothing for Vonta International, which makes clothing for Drífa/IceWear. Ágúst Þór Eiríksson, the managing director of Icewear, told reporters that this cased of forced labour has no direct connection to his company. The matter is being investigated by police.