The Ministry of Interior has reported the arrest of 23 people in 12 separate cases involving narcotics as the General Directorate for Drug Control conducted targeted operations based on surveillance and investigative leads. These actions focused on suspects engaged in the possession and trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances throughout the country. The ministry indicated that all arrestees and the materials recovered during the raids were promptly referred to the relevant judicial bodies for prosecution.
A statement from the ministry detailed an array of confiscated items that included 860 grams of methamphetamine along with 50 grams of heroin and one kilogram and five grams of hashish. Additional seizures encompassed 21 grams of marijuana, one gram of cocaine, two kilograms and 62 grams of synthetic cannabinoids also known as chemical substances as well as 120 milliliters of associated oil and 105 paper sheets impregnated with the compound. The inventory further accounted for 5,620 Lyrica capsules, 130 Captagon tablets, 80 other psychotropic capsules, five precision scales, eight bullets, KD 3,955 in cash proceeds and various packaging materials.
Such operations reflect the ministry’s sustained push against drug networks which has yielded comparable results in preceding months. On June 23 the ministry announced the detention of 29 suspects in related incidents where authorities recovered around 12,000 Lyrica capsules, 606 grams of methamphetamine and other substances according to a report by Kuwait Times. That action similarly saw the transfer of all involved parties and evidence to competent authorities for legal measures.
Broader figures shared by the ministry with KUNA in late June highlighted a sharp decrease in drug smuggling and trafficking activity during the first six months of 2026. Smuggling cases plummeted from 102 in the first half of 2025 to 15 this year while trafficking cases fell from 354 to 184 the director general of the drug control department stated. The official nevertheless pointed to a 14.9 percent increase in addiction-related reports over the same period compared with the prior year.
The prevalence of synthetic cannabinoids and prescription medications in the latest seizures aligns with trends observed in recent ministry operations that have increasingly targeted these substances. Captagon and Lyrica have featured regularly in such busts as enforcement focuses on both street-level dealing and organized distribution channels. The discovery of ammunition and trafficking proceeds illustrates the multifaceted approach required to address interconnected criminal enterprises.
The Ministry of Interior has reiterated its resolve to maintain pressure on all facets of the drug trade including dealers, promoters and users in order to protect public health and national security. This latest crackdown forms part of a series of campaigns that the Criminal Security Sector continues to execute across various governorates. Officials emphasized that vigilance and rapid response remain central to disrupting supply lines before they reach local communities.
