Coast Guard foils diesel smuggling operation in Kuwait’s territorial waters

General Department of Coast Guard has seized a maritime vessel involved in smuggling and illegally selling subsidized diesel fuel inside Kuwait’s territorial waters, the Ministry of Interior announced.

The operation was carried out as part of ongoing security efforts to safeguard national resources and protect maritime security.

The suspect vessel was detected by Coast Guard drones, prompting immediate deployment of specialized field teams to intercept it.

Investigations revealed that the vessel’s captain and crew were selling subsidized diesel to several other boats at sea. Authorities said the payments were done through bank transfers.

A total of 18 people have been taken into custody and the vessel has been impounded. During questioning, the captain and crew confessed to the illegal sale of subsidized fuel.

The Ministry of Interior reaffirmed its commitment to tightening maritime security controls and warned that it will not tolerate any abuse of state subsidies or violations of the law.

The ministry stressed that security forces remain vigilant against any attempts to undermine the country’s security or exploit public resources.