KUWAIT CITY, Jan 15: The Criminal Security Sector of the Ministry of Interior has arrested 12 suspects for operating an illegal factory and warehouse used to manufacture children’s food products inside a residential home in the Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh area, in coordination with several state authorities.

The Ministry said the operation was carried out as part of ongoing security efforts to protect public health and combat violations that threaten community safety. Investigations revealed that the suspects were running an unauthorized food production facility without meeting legal, health, or regulatory requirements.

Following the completion of legal procedures, security forces raided the location and found 12 defendants of Arab and Asian nationalities engaged in the preparation, manufacturing, and packaging of food products intended for children. The products were being processed using industrial equipment and packaging materials to distribute them to cooperative societies across the country.

Authorities reported that the site was located in an unhygienic environment, lacked the minimum health and safety standards, and had no industrial or commercial license, posing a serious risk to public health and consumer safety.

During questioning, the suspects admitted to producing the food items inside the residential property in violation of the law. Investigations further revealed that the defendants had been misleading regulatory authorities by claiming that production was taking place at other licensed locations, while the actual manufacturing occurred inside the residential house under unhealthy conditions.

In response to the violation, the Ministry of Interior coordinated with several specialized security sectors and government agencies, including the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Public Authority for Food and Nutrition, Kuwait Municipality, Public Authority for Manpower, Public Authority for Industry, and the General Fire Force, to take the necessary legal and administrative action.

Due to the potential danger posed by the products—particularly as they are commonly circulated during social occasions and are targeted at children—all affected food items are currently being withdrawn from cooperative societies and inventoried by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor.

The Ministry of Interior confirmed that all suspects remain in custody and that legal measures have been initiated against them. It stressed that there will be zero tolerance for violations that endanger public health or consumer safety, adding that inspection and security campaigns will continue in cooperation with relevant authorities to identify violators and hold them accountable in accordance with the law.