The Ministry of Interior announced that a security campaign resulted in the arrest of 46 residency violators and 38 wanted persons. All those detained during the operation were referred to the competent authorities following standard legal procedures. The ministry described the campaign as part of its continuous efforts to enforce laws and maintain order in the country.
Public Authority for Civil Information figures place Kuwait’s expatriate population at roughly 3.3 million, amplifying the need for systematic residency checks. One ministry-led operation in August 2026 in the Khaitan area led to 47 arrests of wanted criminals and residency law violators.
A campaign in the Capital governorate and Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh saw authorities detain 246 wanted persons and violators in separate actions.
A security and traffic campaign in Mahboula and the Qurain Markets area accounted for 222 arrests, the Ministry of Interior reported. That operation also produced 829 traffic citations and the seizure of several vehicles. Supervision came from senior officials including the Assistant Undersecretary for Public Security Affairs.
Interior ministry statistics for a week in January 2026 showed more than 25,000 violations recorded by traffic police. During the same period, emergency police units carried out campaigns that resulted in multiple arrests for residency breaches and other infractions. The combined efforts reflect a multi-pronged approach to security and regulatory compliance.
Campaigns frequently extend to industrial areas, with one in Shuwaikh leading to the arrest of 48 residency and labor law violators after inspecting 120 commercial establishments. The Criminal Security Sector collaborated with the Public Authority for Manpower on that drive. Legal and administrative measures were applied to all cases identified.
These operations have become a regular feature of law enforcement in Kuwait, targeting both immediate security threats and long-term regulatory adherence. The ministry has utilized various departments to cover different regions effectively. Data from these activities help inform future planning for similar initiatives.
