Latest news with #CriminalSecuritySector
Arab Times
2 days ago
- Arab Times
Egyptians Nabbed in Drug Raid; Kuwaiti Accomplice on the Run
KUWAIT CITY, Aug 7: As part of ongoing efforts by the Criminal Security Sector to combat the menace of drug trafficking, the General Department for Drug Control has successfully dismantled a criminal gang operating in the Hawalli and Salmiya areas. Following extensive surveillance and intelligence gathering, authorities confirmed the group's involvement in the possession and distribution of narcotic and psychotropic substances. The operation led to the arrest of two Egyptian nationals, Atef Sobhi Tawfiq Rustum and Hamada Al-Sayed Al-Damrawi Juma. Investigations also revealed the involvement of a Kuwaiti citizen, Abdulrahman Talq Al-Otaibi, who is currently outside the country. Efforts are underway to complete investigations into his role in the case. Authorities seized approximately 30 kilograms of marijuana, 500 grams of crystal meth, 150 grams of opium, 50 grams of chemical substances, 10 grams of heroin, five methadone tablets, and three sensitive electronic scales. Legal procedures have been initiated, and the arrested suspects have been referred to the competent authorities for further action. The Ministry of Interior reiterated its commitment to combating all forms of drug trafficking and pursuing offenders to safeguard the security and well-being of society.
Arab Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Arab Times
Bangladeshi and Pakistani Expats Caught in Kuwait's ATM Scam
KUWAIT CITY, Aug 3: In a major breakthrough, the Criminal Security Sector, represented by the General Department of Criminal Investigation's Anti-Financial Crimes Department, has dismantled an Asian criminal network that targeted both Kuwaitis and expats using a novel method of financial fraud exploiting the cardless withdrawal feature of local ATMs. Acting swiftly, investigators were able to identify and apprehend the primary suspect in under 24 hours. The accused, identified as MD Raju MD Pentomia, a Bangladeshi national sponsored by Al-Jazeera International General Trading Group, was tracked down after authorities matched CCTV images of the ATM withdrawals with the national biometric fingerprint database. He was arrested in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh, and in his possession were approximately KWD 5,000, several SIM cards, bank cards, and remittance receipts from various money exchange offices, allegedly intended for transferring illicit funds abroad. Further investigation revealed that the suspect was part of a larger cross-border criminal syndicate targeting the State of Kuwait. He was reportedly working in coordination with two Pakistani nationals affiliated with Mirza General Trading Company, a business front allegedly used to facilitate illegal "alternative remittance" operations — an unlicensed form of money transfer that circumvents formal banking channels. This scheme was reportedly revived after their previous company, also engaged in unauthorized currency exchange, was shut down by authorities. Both Pakistani suspects were arrested in Khaitan, and tools used in the illicit fund transfers were seized. They were identified as: Dilsharif Shelemi (Pakistani national) Mirza Jaha Mirza (Pakistani national) Authorities have also traced the international arm of the syndicate operating from Pakistan and are currently coordinating with overseas agencies to dismantle the broader network. The Ministry of Interior reiterated its commitment to leveraging advanced technologies — including biometric verification — to detect, prevent, and prosecute financial crimes, reaffirming its dedication to safeguarding national security and the financial integrity of Kuwaiti society.
Arab Times
6 days ago
- Arab Times
Kuwait Cops Nab Two Indians with Suitcases Full of Heroin and Meth
KUWAIT CITY, Aug 3: In a major victory in the fight against drug trafficking, Kuwait's Ministry of Interior has dealt a significant blow to an international narcotics network operating from outside the country, seizing a large cache of illegal drugs destined for the local market. The operation, spearheaded by the Criminal Security Sector under the supervision of His Excellency Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, culminated in the arrest of two Indian nationals (Nadathara Kunjimaraka Kabir and Saik Hussein Muhammad) in the residential areas of Shuwaikh and Kaifan. Authorities uncovered a staggering 14 kilograms of pure heroin, 8 kilograms of crystal meth (commonly known as shabu), and two electronic scales believed to have been used for drug distribution. The suspects have been handed over to the competent legal authorities for further action. The Ministry hailed the operation as a 'qualitative security blow' to international traffickers and reaffirmed its commitment to relentlessly pursue drug dealers and smugglers. It emphasized that security campaigns will continue unabated to protect the community from the ravages of drug abuse. Citizens and residents are encouraged to report any suspicious activity related to drug trafficking by contacting the General Department for Drug Control via its 24/7 confidential hotline at 1884141.
Gulf Insider
01-08-2025
- Gulf Insider
Kuwait Busts Country's Largest Drug Network In Major Anti-Narcotics Operation
Kuwaiti authorities have dismantled the country's largest known criminal network involved in the smuggling and distribution of psychoactive drugs, seizing over 800,000 Lyrica capsules and arresting several suspects — including a key figure already serving time for drug-related offences. The Ministry of Interior confirmed that the General Department of Drug Control, operating under the Criminal Security Sector, executed the operation after weeks of surveillance and coordinated investigation. Investigations revealed that the smuggling ring was being orchestrated from within the Central Prison. The main suspect, a Kuwaiti national currently imprisoned for previous narcotics crimes, was found to have been directing the network from behind bars. His accomplice, a stateless resident already known to law enforcement, was tracked outside the prison after allegedly selling a quantity of Lyrica to an undercover informant. Authorities traced the contraband to a makeshift storage site in the Kabad area — a livestock enclosure, or jakhour, rented under the name of a Kuwaiti citizen for KD 600 per month. The site was reportedly used for storing, packaging, and distributing the banned medication. When police raided the location, the suspect violently resisted arrest, damaging several police vehicles in the process. A search of the facility uncovered significant quantities of Lyrica capsules, powdered Lyrica, and equipment used for repackaging the drug for distribution. Under interrogation, the imprisoned mastermind admitted to coordinating the shipment of narcotics from an undisclosed Asian country. The consignment was reportedly smuggled into Kuwait through air freight. Following this admission, authorities, in collaboration with the General Administration of Customs, inspected a cargo facility at the airport, where they discovered seven large boxes filled with hundreds of thousands of Lyrica capsules. 'This is a major blow to organised drug trafficking operations in Kuwait,' the Ministry of Interior said in a statement, stressing the government's ongoing efforts to dismantle smuggling networks and safeguard the public from the threat of drug abuse.
Arab Times
31-07-2025
- Arab Times
Kuwait Prisoner Ran a Multi-Million Dinar Drug Empire from Prison
KUWAIT CITY, July 31: In a major operation, Kuwait's Criminal Security Sector, represented by the General Department for Drug Control (GDDC), dismantled what officials described as the largest international drug trafficking network operating in the country, responsible for smuggling and distributing psychotropic substances, particularly the pharmaceutical drug Lyrica. Investigators revealed that the alleged ringleader, Muhammad Hamza Abbas Al-Muhamid, a Kuwaiti national, orchestrated the operation from inside the Central Prison, where he is currently serving time for previous drug-related offenses and has multiple judicial rulings against him. The case came to light after authorities began tracking the movements of Rashid Shihab Rashid (Farhan), a suspected accomplice (Bedoun/ Stateless)operating outside prison. He was caught selling psychotropic pills to an undercover agent. Further investigations led authorities to a stable in the Kabd area, used as a storage site. The location had been rented under the name of Ali Khalifa Ghayath Omair Al-Dhafiri for KD 600 per month. During the arrest operation, the suspect violently resisted, damaging several police vehicles. A search of the premises uncovered large quantities of Lyrica capsules and powder, as well as packaging tools used in preparing the drugs for distribution. Following the seizure, Al-Muhamid was transferred from prison for questioning, where he admitted to coordinating a large drug shipment from an Asian country via air freight. Working with the General Administration of Customs, drug control officers raided the cargo area and intercepted seven large boxes packed with Lyrica capsules. In total, authorities confiscated an estimated 800,000 capsules of psychotropic substances along with powdered Lyrica, valued at several million Kuwaiti dinars on the black market. The General Department for Drug Control reaffirmed its commitment to cracking down on drug trafficking and hailed the operation as a major blow to international drug syndicates. Officials emphasized that anti-narcotics personnel would continue to serve as a formidable line of defense against the spread of illicit drugs in the country.
