CID men bust main warehouse supplying toxic chemicals for local liquor dens
In continuation of the recent crackdown on criminal networks involved in the manufacture and distribution of locally-manufactured alcoholic beverages that caused cases of poisoning and death, the General Department of Criminal Investigations — represented by the Hawalli Investigations Department — raided the main warehouse in the Al-Rai area responsible for supplying chemicals to illegal liquor manufacturing factories.
Investigations revealed that the warehouse is owned by an Egyptian national currently outside the country. However, the Kuwaiti authorities are coordinating with the Egyptian security authorities to take the necessary legal measures against the ‘fugitive’.
During the raid, officers discovered around 340 plastic cons, each containing 25 liters of toxic chemicals, carelessly stockpiled in an unqualified and unsafe facility, reports Al-Rai daily.
Authorities warned that the site represented a severe public safety hazard, with the potential to cause fires, explosions, toxic gas emissions, or serious environmental pollution — all of which could have resulted in a catastrophic disaster putting life and property at risk in the surrounding area.
The operation was carried out in coordination with the Public Fire Force, which secured the site and handled the flammable materials.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Kuwait Municipality were also involved in taking the necessary legal measures against the violators.
This development comes shortly after the arrest of a criminal network behind the distribution of local liquor, underscoring the authorities’ ongoing commitment to dismantling dangerous operations that threaten public health and safety.
It is worth noting that Kuwait is reeling from a devastating public health tragedy that happened recently when 23 people dead and over 160 others were affected after consuming methanol-contaminated alcoholic beverage, most of them Asian nationals.
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