Kuwait’s anti-narcotics success: a look back at three years of record seizures, arrests
Over the past three years (2022–2024), the Directorate-General of Narcotics Control and the General Administration of Customs have seized 11.6 tons of narcotics and 58 million psychotropic pills, and deported 3,118 expatriates involved in drug consumption, while a total of 10,915 suspects were referred to the Public Prosecution during this period for trafficking in narcotics.
This large-scale anti-narcotics effort was carried out under the directives of Acting Prime Minister Sheikh and Minister of Interior Fahad Al-Yousef, through coordinated field operations led by Major General Hamed Al-Dawas, Brigadier General Mohammed Qabazard, and Brigadier General Sheikh Hamad Mohammed Al-Sabah, reports Al-Anba daily.
The following is the breakdown year-on-year:
2022 — 5.3 tons of drugs, 24 million pills were seized; 2,688 cases were registered, 3,411 suspects arrested; 852 individuals were deported and 484 addiction reports were filed with the concerned authorities
2023 — 3.2 tons of drugs, 25 million pills were seized; 2,649 cases were registered, 3,373 suspects were arrested; and 1,125 persons were deported and 778 addiction reports were filed
2024 — 3 tons of drugs, 9 million pills seized were seized; 3,247 cases were registered, and 4,131 suspects arrested; 1,141 individuals were deported and 958 addiction reports were filed
Officials highlighted that the ongoing development of security strategies, international cooperation, and proactive inspection campaigns as key to increased drug seizures.
Emphasis was also placed on preventive action, public awareness, and inter-agency collaboration to curb addiction and safeguard society.
