KUWAIT: The Ministry of Interior announced Monday that the Coast Guard thwarted an attempt to smuggle a large quantity of narcotics into the country, in one of the most significant seizures in recent months. The ministry said in a statement that its operations room spotted, via drone surveillance, a boat whose crew was seen retrieving bags hidden on the seabed.
A rapid response unit from the Naval Formation and Maritime Security Department was dispatched to the location, where the boat and its occupants were intercepted. Authorities confirmed that three people were on board — a member of the Interior Ministry’s military service, an employee of the General Administration of Customs, and an Arab expatriate. A search uncovered eight tightly sealed bags containing 319 packets of narcotics, with an estimated street value of KD 1.3 million (about $4.25 million).
The Interior Ministry affirmed that “no one is above the law,” stressing that measures are being reinforced to secure the country’s territorial waters and enhance the readiness of Coast Guard units, both technically and operationally, to combat smuggling operations. Drug trafficking has been a growing concern in Kuwait and the wider Gulf region, with authorities intensifying efforts to disrupt networks that often involve both regional and international actors. The ministry has repeatedly warned of the dangers posed by narcotics to society, describing the fight against drugs as a national priority aimed at safeguarding youth and preserving social stability. — KUNA
