The General Directorate for Narcotics Control operating under the Criminal Security Sector detained two individuals in Hawally and one in Salmiya as part of sustained operations targeting the illegal trade in alcoholic beverages. Officers recovered 12 bottles along with KD 320 believed to be proceeds from sales in the first location while the Salmiya raid yielded 1,548 additional bottles, bringing the total to 1,560. The suspects and all seized items have been referred to the competent authorities for legal proceedings, the directorate stated in a briefing.
Kuwait maintains a complete prohibition on the importation, sale and consumption of alcohol, with violations carrying severe penalties under local law. The latest action reflects the Ministry of Interior’s focus on disrupting supply networks that attempt to circumvent these restrictions through imported goods. Similar operations have been conducted regularly across residential districts to deter such activities.
Ministry of Interior figures compiled in the first half of 2026 show that 1,564 cases related to narcotics and alcohol were forwarded to prosecution. During that period authorities seized more than 26,000 bottles of liquor in addition to substantial quantities of drugs and related equipment. The half-year data underscores the scale of enforcement activity aimed at protecting public health and enforcing regulatory standards.
Investigators acted on specific intelligence that led to the rapid location of the contraband in both governorate areas. The coordinated nature of the response allowed for simultaneous handling of the two separate cases within the same day. No further details on the identities of the suspects were released in the official update.
The Criminal Security Sector has intensified field campaigns in recent months building on precedents set by earlier busts that similarly targeted imported liquor distribution. These efforts form one component of a wider strategy that also addresses narcotics manufacturing and trafficking as evidenced by a major seizure announced earlier in the month. Officials continue to urge public cooperation in reporting suspicious activities that could indicate illicit trade.
