KUWAIT CITY, Feb 1: Crimes in Kuwait dropped by 18.5 percent in 2017 compared to the previous year, a ranking officer of the Ministry of Interior said on Thursday, according to KUNA.The ministry annual statistics showed that criminal acts deemed harmful to public interest decreased by 78.57 percent in 2017 also in contrast to 2016, whereas crimes against individuals rose by 48.14 percent, said Major General Sehab Al-Shemmari. Maj Gen Al-Shemmari, the general director of the General Department of Criminal Evidence, said in a statement that financial crimes fell by 11.5 percent and misdemeanor crimes detrimental to public interest dropped by 48 percent. Deaths resulting from traffic accidents amounted to 424 in 2016 and 428 last year. Recorded drug dealing cases reached 33 in 2016 and 68 last year By Fares Al-Abdan/Jaber Al- Hamoud Al-Seyassah Staff and Agencies