Norwegian Activist Caught Smuggling Drugs Aboard Gaza Flotilla

Israeli Navy commandos intercepted the Handala, a vessel operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition attempting to breach Israel’s naval blockade of the Gaza Strip, towing it to Ashdod Port. The operation, conducted 100 kilometers west of Gaza in international waters, led to the detention of 21 activists from 10 countries, including two French parliamentarians and two Al Jazeera journalists. During intake procedures at Givon Prison in Ramle, under the command of Deputy Warden Chief Superintendent David Barberio, a surprising discovery was made: a Norwegian woman in her 70s, identified as Vigdis Bjørvand, was found concealing 21 units of hashish. Some drugs were expelled from her mouth, while others were hidden in intimate areas, uncovered during a routine body search by prison officers. The substances were handed over to the Israel Police, who opened a criminal investigation, as possession of hashish is illegal in both Israel and Norway.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry emphasized that the interception was lawful, stating, “Unauthorized attempts to breach the blockade are dangerous, unlawful, and undermine ongoing humanitarian efforts.” The ministry confirmed all passengers were safe, mirroring the handling of the previous Madleen flotilla, intercepted on June 9, 2025, which carried activist Greta Thunberg. The Handala’s crew, including Bjørvand, had vowed to “break the blockade on the Strip, let us sail,” and planned a hunger strike if detained, according to social media posts. The non-military cargo, including baby formula and medicine, was seized for distribution through official channels. Following the bizarre incident, posts on X expressed shock, with one user noting, “Hashish in her underwear? This flotilla just got wilder!”