KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior announced a series of security operations on Friday targeting subsidy abuse, food safety violations, and public morals offenses, leading to multiple arrests and warehouse seizures. In one case, the ministry said it uncovered a warehouse used to smuggle government-subsidized food supplies out of the country.
The operation followed a referral from customs officers at the Al-Salmi border crossing. The ministry said customs officials stopped a vehicle attempting to leave Kuwait and found quantities of subsidized food hidden inside. Further investigations led to a warehouse run by several individuals from an African community, where large amounts of subsidized food were stored for smuggling and sale outside Kuwait. “These items were prepared for smuggling and sale abroad,” the ministry said. Legal action was taken, and the suspects were referred to the relevant authorities.
Spoilt meat
In a separate case, the ministry announced the seizure of an illegally operated warehouse in the Shuwaikh area used to store and sell spoiled meat. The operation was carried out by the Criminal Investigation Sector, in cooperation with the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition. The ministry said the case began after a citizen reported people selling spoilt meat on social media while claiming it was fresh.
Investigators found large quantities of meat of unknown origin that did not meet health standards. The seized items included frozen meat that had been thawed and sold as fresh, as well as spoiled food products that had changed in color, smell and texture. The warehouse was operating without the required health licenses, the ministry said.
Inappropriate video
Authorities also announced the arrest of a group involved in publishing a video deemed to violate public morals. The video showed a gathering of individuals from the Indian community inside a campsite in the Mutlaa area. According to the ministry, the footage included “inappropriate behaviors” that violated public values and laws in force.
Cybercrime officers identified the account owner, who admitted the account belonged to him and that the people shown were with him during filming. All individuals appearing in the video were arrested and referred to the competent authorities, the ministry said. The Interior Ministry said it would not tolerate the exploitation of state subsidies, threats to public health, or violations of public morals It urged the public to report suspicious activities to help protect public funds, community safety and social values. — Agencies
