Major liquor manufacturing network busted across six residential areas in Kuwait
Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef oversees coordinated raids on local liquor production; main suspect in police custody
Under the direct supervision of First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef, who was accompanied by Acting Director General of Kuwait Municipality Eng. Manal Al-Asfour, Assistant Undersecretary for Criminal Security Affairs Major General Hamed Al-Dawas, and officials from several agencies, Kuwaiti authorities busted a criminal gang operating alcohol ‘factories’ inside rented homes across six residential neighborhoods.
The operation, carried out by the Criminal Security Sector, represented by the General Department of Criminal Investigations, was conducted in cooperation with the Kuwait Fire Force, the Kuwait Municipality, the Environment Public Authority, and the Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy, reports Al-Rai daily.
Following extensive legal and surveillance procedures, simultaneous raids were launched targeting sites in Mishref, Jaber Al-Ali, Al-Nahda, Al-Faiha, Saad Al-Abdullah, and Al-Qusour.
The authorities uncovered fully equipped factories for producing local brew, and seized large quantities of raw materials filled in barrels, and thousands of pre-filled plastic bottles ready for distribution.
Eight vehicles used in the operation’s logistical support were also confiscated. These were used for transporting raw materials, delivering worker provisions, paying salaries, and distributing the finished product.
Two gang members were arrested in possession of large sums of cash and a money-counting machine, indicating their role in managing the gang’s finances. The main suspect, who ran the operation through mobile communication and in coordination with international associates, was later arrested after a thorough surveillance campaign.
The Ministry confirmed that such illegal activity, especially when conducted within residential areas, poses a serious threat to public health, safety, and legal order, and stressed its commitment to rooting out such crimes in cooperation with relevant agencies.
