Norwegian police have launched a major investigation after recreational divers discovered an estimated 40 kilograms of suspected narcotics in a backpack on the floor of Gandsfjorden near Stavanger. The significant find, made at a depth of approximately 20 meters near a seldom-used dock, was immediately reported to authorities and represents one of the largest single drug seizures in the Rogaland region this year.
Discovery Triggers Major Response
Police Attorney Veslemøy Lavransdatter Fossåen confirmed the divers' discovery of a 'large quantity' of narcotics. The drugs were contained within multiple vacuum-sealed packages inside the submerged backpack. 'At the present time, it is not possible to say concretely which substances these are,' Fossåen stated. 'The seizure has been sent to Kripos [the National Criminal Investigation Service] for analysis, to investigate the type of narcotic substance and the exact amount.' The police have not disclosed the precise location of the dock to protect the ongoing investigation but confirmed the site is in the inner reaches of Gandsfjorden, south of Stavanger city center.
A Methodical Underwater Search
Following the initial report, police divers from the Rogaland Police District were dispatched to the scene to conduct a thorough secondary search of the seabed. Their objective was to secure any additional evidence and ensure no other packages were discarded in the same area. The use of vacuum sealing is a common method for drug traffickers attempting to transport substances over long distances or by sea, as it protects the contents from water damage and reduces odors that could be detected by sniffer dogs. The police have not yet determined how long the backpack had been submerged. Marine growth and condition of the materials will be part of the forensic timeline investigation.
No Suspects in a Puzzling Case
A key element of the case is the absence of any immediate suspects. 'No one so far is suspected or charged in the case,' Fossåen emphasized. This points to an investigation in its earliest stages, where forensic evidence from the backpack, its contents, and the location itself will be crucial. Police are exploring several theories, including that the drugs were dumped during a panicked interception by authorities elsewhere, discarded by a trafficker fearing capture, or intentionally placed for later retrieval by a criminal network. The choice of a quiet, industrial-adjacent dock area suggests familiarity with local maritime geography.
Gandsfjorden's Strategic Position
The location of the find adds a significant layer of context. Gandsfjorden is a central waterway in the Stavanger region, an area globally known as Norway's oil and energy capital. The fjord sees constant commercial and recreational traffic and provides direct access to the North Sea. Major port facilities, offshore supply bases, and shipyards line its shores. This maritime-industrial complex creates a environment with both legitimate heavy traffic and potential for illicit activity. Law enforcement agencies have long noted that Norway's extensive coastline and busy ports can be exploited by organized crime groups for smuggling operations.
A Pattern of Submerged Seizures
This incident is not isolated in a Norwegian context. Police have recorded previous instances where drugs or stolen goods have been hidden or dumped in fjords and coastal waters. In 2022, a large quantity of stolen gold was recovered from a fjord in Eastern Norway. The method allows criminals to hide contraband from standard land-based patrols and can facilitate cross-border maritime smuggling routes into and out of the country. The success of this discovery, however, hinged entirely on the chance encounter by civilian divers, highlighting the challenge of monitoring vast coastal areas.
The Role of National Forensics
The case now moves to the national level with Kripos' forensic analysis. Their lab will identify the drug type—whether amphetamine, cocaine, cannabis, or other substances—which can indicate origin and distribution networks. The purity and packaging may offer intelligence links to other seizures in Norway or Europe. The weight, estimated by police to be around 40 kilograms, indicates a wholesale quantity intended for further distribution, with a street value likely running into millions of Norwegian kroner depending on the substance.
Investigation Focus and Next Steps
The Rogaland police's immediate focus is on forensic results and scene analysis. They are also reviewing surveillance footage from roads and areas near the dock, though such coverage in remote industrial zones is often limited. Investigators will examine recent reports of suspicious boat activity and cross-reference with intelligence on known drug trafficking groups operating in Scandinavia. The lack of suspects means the evidence from the backpack itself—fibers, DNA, or unique packaging materials—is the primary lead.
This discovery in Gandsfjorden underscores a persistent challenge for Norwegian authorities: securing a coastline longer than the country's land borders. While major ports have stringent controls, the countless small docks and remote inlets remain vulnerable. The police have appealed to the public, particularly the boating and diving communities, to report any unusual underwater objects or suspicious activity near the shoreline. As the forensic work continues in Oslo, local police are left with a central question: was this a trafficker's abandoned cache, or merely one piece of a larger operation still hidden beneath the surface of Norwegian waters?