Record Kuwait drug bust, five tons of Lyrica powder seized worth 150 million dinars
-
- Interior Minister says five tons of raw Lyrica powder and nearly four million capsules were seized, along with a complete production facility
Kuwait has thwarted what the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahd Yousef Saud Al-Sabah described as the largest drug seizure in the history of the State, with authorities confiscating about five tons of raw Lyrica powder and nearly four million capsules prepared for sale.
The seized drugs had an estimated market value of 150 million dinars (about $485.9 million), Sheikh Fahd said on Wednesday. The seizure, carried out on Tuesday, also included a complete factory for producing Lyrica, a psychoactive substance, along with equipment used to fill and divide the capsules.
Sheikh Fahd made the announcement while attending and sponsoring the closing ceremony of the Ministry of Social Affairs’ national media awareness campaign against drugs, “A Homeland That Protects You,” held at the Four Seasons Hotel with the participation of government, civil society and private-sector organizations.
Vigilance prevents major threat
Sheikh Fahd said the scale of the seizure demonstrated the seriousness of the threat that had been prevented through the vigilance of anti-narcotics officers and wider security efforts.
He stressed that combating drugs remains a top priority for the Ministry of Interior, which continues to target smugglers and dealers, strengthen monitoring and enforcement, and cut off sources of illegal drugs.
At the same time, he emphasized that enforcement must be accompanied by prevention and public awareness, saying protection should begin before drugs reach members of society.
Treatment and rehabilitation part of response
Sheikh Fahd said the government’s response extends beyond drug seizures and the pursuit of smugglers and dealers to include treatment and rehabilitation for people affected by addiction.
He said an integrated wing has been allocated for the treatment and rehabilitation of female addicts, describing it as one of the most modern facilities equipped to provide care using advanced treatment and rehabilitation methods.
Other integrated and specialized facilities are also being prepared for the treatment and rehabilitation of male addicts, he added. The objective, he said, is not only to prevent drugs from reaching society but also to help those affected by addiction recover and return to their families and communities as healthy and productive individuals.
Call for families to seek help
Sheikh Fahd urged parents to seek assistance and treatment when necessary and not hesitate to ask for help. He said the state has established treatment pathways that guarantee confidentiality and privacy, adding that, subject to legal procedures and controls, applying for treatment does not result in a criminal record being registered against the user.
National responsibility
Sheikh Fahd also highlighted the importance of cooperation among state institutions, noting the role of the Ministry of Health in treating and rehabilitating people recovering from addiction and the Ministry of Social Affairs in supporting families, raising parental awareness and strengthening social protection.
He said combating drugs is not solely a security task, but a shared national responsibility involving government institutions and society as a whole. The Ministry of Interior, he affirmed, will continue to pursue smugglers and dealers, cut off drug sources and raise awareness of the dangers of narcotics, with the broader aim of protecting Kuwait’s children and safeguarding the country’s security and stability.
