A spokesman for the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command (CID) confirmed that they are currently investigating a pork smuggling ring among U.S. forces in Kuwait, reports Task and Purpose News portal.
According to the Task and Purpose website, (a portal specialized in news and affairs of the American forces deployed outside the United States) Chris Grey, spokesman for CID, said: “Due to the ongoing investigation, no further information will be released at this time to protect the integrity of the investigative process.”
“I can confirm Special Agents from the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command are investigating allegations of abuse and illegal resale of pork products at [Army and Air Force Exchange Service] in Kuwait,” said Grey.
Kuwait is a Muslim country, where pork is strictly prohibited. And if an American is selling prohibited pork on Kuwaiti soil, then they could be punished under Kuwaiti law.
According to the State Department’s Overseas Security Advisory Council, U.S. citizens “are subject to the country’s laws and regulations” in Kuwait.
Some soldiers have been buying frozen pork bundles inside the camp at the equivalent of 30 dollars a block, then smuggling them secretly outside in the black market at the equivalent of 200 dollars a bundle.
The site stated that Kuwaiti laws strictly criminalize the promotion and sale of pork and that if the Kuwaiti authorities arrest any person (including an American soldier) red-handed selling that meat, they will punish him under the penalties stipulated by those laws.