Drug smuggling cases drop from 102 to 15, trafficking falls from 354 to 184
. . . compared to same period last year amid preemptive security strikes
Kuwait has recorded a significant decline in drug trafficking and smuggling cases during the first half of 2026, reflecting the effectiveness of intensified security operations and proactive enforcement measures aimed at dismantling narcotics networks and drying up supply sources.
Director General of the General Administration for Drug Control, Brigadier General Mohammed Qabazard, said drug importation cases dropped sharply from 102 cases during the same period last year to just 15 cases this year, while drug trafficking cases declined from 354 to 184 cases.
Speaking to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on the occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, observed annually on June 26, Brigadier Qabazard described the figures as evidence of the success of the Ministry of Interior’s comprehensive anti-drug strategy.
He said the ministry’s intensified crackdown on smuggling, trafficking, and distribution networks has significantly reduced the availability of narcotic substances in local markets, while also increasing the cost of obtaining illegal drugs and contributing to the near disappearance of some substances altogether.
Qabazard noted that the implementation of Kuwait’s new anti-drug law has yielded positive field results, particularly through continued preemptive security operations targeting criminal networks involved in drug-related activities.
The Ministry of Interior, he said, remains committed to implementing an integrated security and preventive strategy focused on eliminating sources of narcotics, pursuing trafficking networks, and strengthening community awareness and preventive measures to safeguard society and protect future generations.
He added that the updated law has strengthened not only deterrence measures but also the preventive and rehabilitation aspects of drug control by allowing users to voluntarily seek treatment before facing legal action.
According to Qabazard, this approach has encouraged many families to report affected relatives and enroll them in treatment and rehabilitation programs.
He revealed that addiction-related reports increased by 14.9 percent during the first half of 2026 compared to the same period last year, reflecting growing public confidence in state procedures and increasing awareness about the importance of seeking treatment.
“All reports related to drug users are handled with complete confidentiality and privacy in order to preserve family rights and encourage cooperation with the authorities,” he stressed.
Qabazard also highlighted the role of awareness campaigns and preventive programs implemented by the Ministry of Interior through traditional media and social media platforms, particularly those targeting young people and vulnerable segments of society.
He emphasized that combating drugs is not solely a security responsibility, but a collective national mission that requires close cooperation between government institutions, the private sector, civil society organizations, and the wider community.
The General Administration for Drug Control, he added, continues to strengthen cooperation with anti-narcotics agencies across Gulf Cooperation Council countries through regular meetings, intelligence-sharing, and coordinated efforts to confront regional smuggling networks.
Brigadier Qabazard concluded by urging the public to continue supporting anti-drug efforts by reporting any information related to narcotics crimes through the administration’s hotline at 1884141, stressing that protecting society from the dangers of drugs remains a shared national responsibility.
