64 foreign nationals have been detained in Kuwait’s ongoing war on drug possession.

In an unyielding effort against the illicit drug trade, the Ministry of Interior is intensifying its campaign against drug dealers. According to a government report, a staggering 60% of all incarcerated individuals have been convicted in cases related to drug use and trafficking.

The General Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Planning created the data, which reveals that in 19,000 drug-related trials over a ten-year period, 25,000 defendants were found guilty. It highlights the fact that drugs are a major contributing factor to a wide range of crimes, a point reinforced by official medical reports that show many of the offenders consumed different narcotic substances, which affected their mental state. According to investigations conducted by security services, 70 incidents out of 100 are connected to narcotics.

The Ministry of Interior is intensifying its efforts to battle drug dealers as part of a deliberate push to eradicate the illegal drug trade. An official government survey states that an astounding 60% of people behind bars had convictions for drug-related offenses like usage and trafficking.

According to the report, which was written by the Supreme Council for Planning’s General Secretariat, 19,000 drug-related cases resulted in the conviction of 25,000 defendants over the course of ten years. It emphasizes how drugs act as the main inducer for a wide range of crimes, corroborated by official medical studies that show many offenders abuse different narcotic substances, which affects their mental health. According to investigations conducted by security services, 70 incidents out of 100 are thought to include drugs.

According to a source inside the security apparatus, an advanced plan has been approved to combat drug smuggling thoroughly, as per the directions of Sheikh Talal Al-Khaled, the Minister of the Interior and First Deputy Prime Minister. This plan calls for the introduction of strict protocols and cutting-edge technologies at ports to regulate contraband, the bolstering of domestic measures against drug traffickers, and international coordination to destroy smuggling operations at their source.

The security insider also disclosed that the number of poisonings in 2023 has risen to a 15-year high. During the course of the most recent operation, which took place between August and October of 2023, 800 kg of various substances and roughly 1.5 million psychoactive pills were seized. Furthermore, a successful effort to smuggle 800 kg of hashish from Lebanon to Kuwait was foiled by international cooperation.

International cooperation efforts also resulted in the capture of drug-smuggling organizations that intended to exploit Kuwait as a transit hub for a variety of substances. 64 foreign nationals were sent to deportation prison after being caught for drug possession during the previous two months.

Information obtained via official channels shows that the Ministry of Interior, in all of its divisions, has been successful in capturing a large number of defendants in a wide range of drug-related offenses. Legal action against these persons has been referred to the relevant authorities. Notably, in August, authorities confiscated 763 psychoactive pills and 6,150 kg of different substances in a single day. In addition to removing seven kilograms of psychotropic substances and fifteen kilograms of drugs from postal packages, the Ministry filed ten complaints against fifteen individuals. In addition, 14 cases were brought against 14 people, which led to the seizure of 11 kg of drugs and 250,000 psychoactive pills. In addition, during the same month, 8,130 tablets were seized in separate raids.

Sheikh Talal Al-Khaled, the first deputy prime minister, reiterated Kuwait’s unwavering commitment to fighting drug dealers. Citing “unprecedented seizures of drugs of various types and quantities” over the previous two years, he emphasized the need to safeguard the region’s youth and thwart attempts by drug smugglers to establish a thriving drug trade market. He also highlighted the increased targeting of Gulf Cooperation Council countries by these gangs.