The Ministry of Interior said its Criminal Security Sector, represented by the Hawally Governorate Investigation Department, collaborated with a joint committee from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Kuwait Municipality, the Ministry of Electricity Water and Renewable Energy, and the Public Fire Force to target violating warehouses. The inspection uncovered a basement in a Salmiya residential property that had been subdivided into multiple storage units rented without formal contracts. Counterfeit products filled one warehouse while two others contained water pumps and electrical appliances in the process of having their country of origin markings changed.
According to the ministry statement, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry documented the observed commercial violations and issued the corresponding reports. The Public Fire Force closed the non-compliant warehouse and applied an official seal as part of its mandated procedures. The Indian suspects were handed over to the relevant authorities for legal processing ahead of their planned deportation in the public interest.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry reported that a July 2026 joint campaign with the Ministry of Interior yielded around 11,000 seized counterfeit clothing footwear and handbag items carrying fake international trademarks with eight shops closed immediately. Officials at the time noted that such infractions undermine Kuwait’s position in international evaluations of intellectual property enforcement and harm authorized brand owners. The latest Salmiya action continues this pattern of coordinated inspections across commercial and storage sites.
A senior customs official stated in early November that enforcement has adapted to counterfeit goods expanding into medical supplies and cosmetics which introduce direct health risks to consumers in addition to economic losses. The official added that higher seizure volumes reflect improved inspection techniques and technology rather than any surge in smuggling attempts. Travelers and online shoppers have been reminded to verify import rules and obtain required approvals before bringing goods into the country.
The Ministry of Interior confirmed in its announcement that coordination with concerned entities will persist to monitor violations and counter unlawful commercial practices throughout Kuwait. Comparable operations in recent months have addressed both retail displays and hidden storage facilities in governorates including Hawally and the Capital. Authorities have encouraged the public to submit reports of suspected counterfeit activity through designated hotlines to support these ongoing efforts.
