The Ministry of Interior detailed the arrest of four Asian expatriates in Sabahiyah for converting a residential property into an unlicensed grocery business. Officers from the Ahmadi Security Directorate executed the raid after confirming the violation through surveillance and received tips. The operation uncovered food items being sold without proper licensing or health inspections, leading to the immediate detention of the individuals involved. All four have been referred to the Public Prosecution for legal action.
According to the ministry, the case highlights the risks associated with operating commercial ventures in areas designated solely for housing. Such activities can disrupt neighborhood peace and pose health hazards if food is not stored or prepared according to standards set by the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition. The ministry’s assessment found multiple breaches of trade laws during the inspection.
Data from a February 2026 campaign by the Capital Governorate Security Directorate resulted in 14 expats being arrested for similar illegal home-based grocery outlets in Jaber Al-Ahmad. That sweep also saw the confiscation of seven delivery motorcycles and the issuance of 33 violation reports for unsanitary conditions and lack of health permits. These figures demonstrate the scale of enforcement actions taken across Kuwait to address the issue.
The ministry has conducted several such operations this year targeting unlicensed food sales and other commercial infringements in residential zones. In each instance, coordination with food safety authorities ensures that seized products are tested and destroyed if they fail to meet safety criteria. Public cooperation has been key to identifying many of these locations.
A separate but related case in March 2025 saw the arrest of an Asian man in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh for illegally selling subsidized food supplies from an unlicensed store, according to the General Department of Criminal Investigation. Money from the sales was recovered, and the suspect was referred for prosecution. These recurring incidents have prompted increased monitoring by security forces.
The Public Authority for Civil Information places Kuwait’s expatriate population at over 3 million, many of whom work in the retail sector. This demographic reality has led to heightened regulatory oversight to ensure all commercial activities comply with established laws. The Sabahiyah case involved the seizure of grocery items that will undergo further examination by food safety officials.
