Kuwait seizes 8.2 mln USD worth of drugs, arrests 3 suspects

KUWAIT CITY, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) — Kuwait’s Interior Ministry announced on Sunday the arrest of three individuals attempting to smuggle a large quantity of drugs into the country by sea.
The seized drugs are valued at approximately 2.5 million Kuwaiti dinars (around 8.2 million U.S. dollars), said the ministry.
In a statement carried by the Kuwait News Agency, the ministry added that the operation was conducted by its Drug Control Directorate in coordination with the Coast Guard.
After receiving intelligence reports that several individuals were planning to smuggle drugs into the country via sea, authorities monitored a boat entering Kuwaiti territorial waters using an advanced radar system. The three suspects were caught red-handed.
Authorities later confirmed the confiscation of 308 kg of hashish (a compressed form of powdered marijuana), one million “Lyrica” capsules (a prescription drug used to treat nerve pain), and 500,000 Captagon pills (a stimulant banned in most countries as too addictive).
The operation is part of the country’s intensified efforts to track down drug traffickers and dealers. It is working to enhance regional and international cooperation to combat all forms of drug smuggling and distribution. ■