Kuwait foils major drug smuggling attempt involving government officials

Drone surveillance leads to $4.25m drug bust; vessel manned by security, customs officials

Last updated: August 19, 2025 | 13:01

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Drug trafficking has become a growing concern in Kuwait and across the Gulf, where authorities say regional and international actors are increasingly active. Illustrative image.

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Dubai: Kuwait’s Interior Ministry has thwarted an attempt to smuggle a large haul of narcotics into the country, one of the most significant seizures in recent months, according to the state News Agency Kuna.

The ministry said drone surveillance detected a boat whose crew was retrieving bags hidden on the seabed.

A rapid-response unit from the Naval Formation and Maritime Security Department intercepted the vessel and its three occupants: a member of the Interior Ministry’s military service, a customs employee, and an Arab expatriate.

Also Read: Kuwait sentences police officers to 10 years for drug smuggling

A search uncovered eight sealed bags containing 319 packets of narcotics, with an estimated street value of 1.3 million Kuwaiti dinars (approximately $4.25 million).

The involvement of security personnel underscored the scope of the smuggling networks authorities are confronting.

Also Read: Gift gone wrong: Expat arrested at Kuwait airport for smuggling drug in luggage

“No one is above the law,” the ministry said in a statement, adding that measures were being strengthened to secure the country’s territorial waters and enhance the Coast Guard’s operational readiness.

Drug trafficking has become a growing concern in Kuwait and across the Gulf, where authorities say regional and international actors are increasingly active.

Also Read: Kuwait seizes firearms cache in swoop on drugs

Officials have repeatedly described the fight against narcotics as a national priority, warning of the social and economic toll drugs take on young people and the wider community.

Khitam Al AmirChief News Editor

With over 30 years of journalistic experience spanning from Jordan to the UAE, Khitam has spent the past 22 years reporting on national and regional news from Dubai, with a strong focus on the UAE, GCC and broader Arab affairs. As Chief News Editor, she brings extensive expertise in delivering breaking and engaging news to readers. Beginning her tenure as a translator, she advanced through roles as Senior Translator and Chief Translator before transitioning to editorial positions, culminating in her current leadership role. Her responsibilities encompass monitoring breaking news across the UAE and the broader Arab region, ensuring timely and accurate dissemination to the public. Born into a family of journalists, Khitam's passion for news was ignited early in life. A defining moment in her youth occurred in September 1985 when she had the opportunity to converse with the late British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher during her visit to a Palestinian refugee camp north of Amman. During this encounter, Khitam shared her family's experiences of displacement from their home in Palestine and their subsequent refuge in Jordan. This poignant interaction not only deepened her understanding of geopolitical issues but also solidified her commitment to pursuing a career in journalism, aiming to shed light on the stories of those affected by regional conflicts. Khitam’s commitment to accurate and timely reporting drives her to seek out news that interests readers, making her a trusted source for news on the UAE and the broader Gulf region.