Kuwait customs thwart two separate smuggling attempts
Nuwaiseeb border officials stopped a Kuwaiti national who attempted to smuggle cigarettes into Saudi Arabia, while airport customs officers foiled a separate attempt by a citizen arriving from an Arab country to smuggle narcotics.
Nuwaiseeb border officials stopped a Kuwaiti citizen from traveling after he attempted to smuggle cigarettes hidden inside his car into Saudi Arabia, reported Al Anba newspaper.
A security source said the man, driving an American-made vehicle, appeared nervous while waiting for customs inspection. Officers subjected the car to scanning equipment, which revealed unusual condensation in parts of the vehicle’s body, prompting further investigation.
Inspectors manually examined the vehicle and uncovered hidden compartments packed with cigarettes, including cartons concealed under the rear seats and in the trunk. During the initial investigation, the citizen admitted he intended to smuggle the cigarettes into Saudi Arabia for resale before returning to Kuwait. A smuggling report was filed, the case was referred for investigation, and the contraband was confiscated.
In a separate incident, airport customs officers foiled an attempt to smuggle narcotics into Kuwait by a citizen arriving from an Arab country. The drugs were concealed in his clothing. A security source said the man, in his thirties, appeared nervous while passing through passenger checks. When approached, he presented his passport, confirming his identity as a Kuwaiti national.
A search of his luggage revealed narcotics, including chemicals and Captagon pills, hidden among his clothes. A further personal search uncovered a marijuana cigarette. The suspect and the seized substances were referred to the competent authorities.
