International manhunt ends as Kuwait nabs fugitive in 433,000 dinars money laundering network bust
The Ministry of Interior announced today (Sunday) evening that Kuwait’s Criminal Security Affairs Sector, in coordination with the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), arrested an unidentified fugitive convicted in a major money laundering case.
The ministry said the operation was carried out through close security cooperation between the State of Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, with direct coordination between the Kuwaiti Interpol office and its counterpart in the UAE.
Authorities confirmed that the handover process was completed through Abu Dhabi Interpol and monitored by the Criminal Security Bureau in Dubai as part of ongoing regional efforts to pursue fugitives involved in organized financial crimes.
According to the Ministry of Interior, the accused had been sentenced to 10 years in prison with hard labor in a money laundering case. The ruling also included deportation after serving the sentence and confiscation of all funds and profits linked to the criminal activity.
Investigations revealed that the accused was connected to an organized criminal network involved in the illegal sale and trafficking of alcohol inside Kuwait in violation of the country’s laws and regulations.
Security authorities said the network laundered proceeds generated from the illegal trade through complex financial transactions designed to conceal the true source of the funds.
The ministry disclosed that the network hired 157 Asians to conduct 254 separate financial transfer operations through 13 licensed exchange companies, involving 433,745 dinars.
Officials explained that the transfers were deliberately fragmented and disguised as “family expenses” in an attempt to bypass financial monitoring systems and move funds abroad without attracting suspicion.
The Ministry of Interior stated that the arrest followed intensive security monitoring and continuous international coordination, which enabled authorities to track the suspect’s movements, determine his location and apprehend him before initiating extradition procedures.
The ministry praised the strong security cooperation with UAE authorities and reaffirmed Kuwait’s commitment to pursuing fugitives, combating organized economic crimes and bringing offenders to justice through regional and international partnerships.
