Europol, Iceland partner on drug bust

REYKJAVIK, Iceland, Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Europol and Icelandic police have raided an illicit drug laboratory, resulting in the arrest of three suspects involved in an organized criminal group.

The Reykjavik Metropolitan Police partnered with Europol, the European Union's police organization, on a large-scale criminal investigation that prompted the joint operation Friday. Officials say the illicit drug laboratory was allegedly capable of producing hundreds of pounds of synthetic drugs, Europol reported.

While the investigation is ongoing, the raid resulted in the arrest of three main suspects allegedly involved in the Icelandic criminal organization. Officials say the cooperation between Europol and Icelandic security authorities took place over several months through the Icelandic Liaison Bureau based in The Hague.

"This is an excellent example of the valuable services afforded by Europol, which through close cooperation with a third state, Iceland, has resulted in the cessation of a massive consignment of synthetic drugs hitting the European drugs market," Max-Peter Ratzel, Europol director, said in a statement.