Iceland Police Link Suspect to Major Amphetamine Import via Digital Evidence

Icelandic police believe they have traced the movements of Kastriots Pepaj, who is accused of orchestrating the importation of 14.1 liters of amphetamine base. Investigators are comparing Signal communications, telecommunications data, his vehicle's travel history, and security camera recordings to build their case.

Kastriot and Sævar Örn Hilmarsson face charges of large-scale drug trafficking, along with two crew members of the ship Dettifoss. Police allege Kastriot organized the importation, using Hilmarsson as his contact with the ship's crew. The crew members reportedly received the amphetamine base in Bremerhaven, Germany, concealed it aboard the Dettifoss, and transported it to Iceland. The drugs were hidden within four bottles of Absolut vodka.

During the investigation of Sævar's phone, police discovered Signal communications with an individual they identify as Kastriot. These messages discussed 15 liters of amphetamine base and the handover of the substances. Police correlated these communications with Kastriot's phone records and data from license plate recognition cameras. They noted repeated instances where Kastriot drove to Sævar's home shortly after the Signal users arranged to meet.

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He said the phone he was seen with at the gym belonged to his cousin.

Investigators highlighted Kastriot's gym visit on April 9 as particularly significant. On that day, the Signal user asked Sævar if he wanted to go to the gym. Sævar declined, but Kastriot later went to a gym himself. While he was there, the Signal user received a message saying, "But let's meet tonight," to which he replied, "okay." According to police, Kastriot was seen at the same time taking a mobile phone from his pocket and looking at the screen. His wife's cousin then took the phone, typed on it, and returned it to him. Kastriot's primary phone showed no activity during this period. Later that day, he was seen with a mobile phone again when the Signal user received a video call, while his main phone remained inactive.

Kastriot has denied any involvement in the drug importation and stated that the phone he was seen with at the gym belonged to his cousin. When questioned about telecommunications data placing him repeatedly at Sævar's home after Signal users arranged meetings, he attributed it to coincidence, suggesting he was likely dropping off Sævar's children. Kastriot was arrested on April 22 and has been in custody since. Sævar and the two crew members were arrested when the Dettifoss arrived in Reykjavík on April 13.

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He said it was a coincidence and that he was likely dropping off Sævar's children.