The General Administration of Customs said inspectors at its Air Cargo department examined a parcel declared as containing dates from Thailand and found 104 pieces of marijuana weighing 549 grams concealed among the fruit. Officers coordinated immediately with the Drug Control General Department at the Interior Ministry to apprehend the Sri Lankan suspect when he arrived to collect the shipment. The authority stated that legal procedures are now underway to refer both the suspect and the seized narcotics for further processing under anti-drug laws.
According to the General Administration of Customs this operation follows directives from First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef to reinforce controls at all ports of entry and counter attempts to smuggle narcotics. The customs body stressed that officer vigilance and improved inspection methods enabled the discovery before the parcel cleared the facility. Such actions form part of sustained efforts to secure borders against illegal substances originating from multiple international sources.
Kuwait’s General Administration of Customs previously reported foiling an attempt to smuggle 86 kilograms of narcotics including cannabis cocaine and marijuana in a June shipment from the United Kingdom. That earlier bust also occurred at the Air Cargo Customs Department and involved coordination with specialized units to seize the contraband from passenger luggage. The pattern of interceptions highlights the use of air routes in smuggling activities that authorities continue to monitor closely.
The Interior Ministry through its various departments has maintained a focus on enhancing detection technology and inter-agency cooperation to disrupt drug trafficking networks. Figures from the ministry show that multiple smuggling cases have been thwarted annually through targeted inspections at airports postal centers and land borders. This latest case adds to records of successful operations that prevent narcotics from reaching local markets.
Officials identified the suspect as a Sri Lankan national who now faces charges related to drug importation and possession. The General Administration of Customs noted that the parcel was routed through standard air cargo channels which are subject to routine screening protocols. Authorities emphasized that the prompt arrest prevented distribution of the 549 grams of marijuana that had been carefully hidden among the dates.
The customs authority continues to upgrade its systems and training programs to identify sophisticated concealment methods used in smuggling attempts. In statements the body pointed to experience gained from prior cases as a factor in the successful interception on July 18. Ongoing collaboration with the Drug Control General Department ensures that all seized materials undergo proper laboratory analysis and evidentiary handling before prosecution proceeds.
