53,314 Cigarette Cartons Seized at Kuwait's Border; Syrian, Yemeni and Indian Nationals Arrested

07/10/2026

KUWAIT CITY, Oct 7: Kuwait authorities have thwarted an attempt to smuggle approximately 53,314 cartons of cigarettes through the Al-Salmi border crossing after the shipment was concealed inside cardboard boxes and falsely declared as aluminum plates.

The General Customs Administration, in cooperation with the Criminal Security Sector represented by the General Department of Criminal Investigations, detected the shipment following investigations into the customs declaration. Authorities found that a falsified customs declaration had been submitted for the goods and arrested the Syrian truck driver and a Yemeni national working at a customs clearance office for their alleged involvement in preparing the declaration.

During questioning, the truck driver led authorities to the location where the cigarettes had been loaded inside an agricultural holding in the Al-Abdali area. A security force, working with the Public Authority for Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources, raided the location and discovered three warehouses containing large quantities of commercial goods without the required licenses.

An Indian worker was also arrested and reportedly confessed to helping load the tobacco products under instructions from a Kuwaiti national. Authorities said the Kuwaiti suspect had left the country on the day the cigarettes were loaded, and a security hold was placed on him.

Investigations and coordination with the relevant authorities are continuing to determine the source of the tobacco products and establish the legal and administrative responsibility of those involved, as well as matters related to the agricultural holding.

The Ministry of Interior said it will continue efforts to combat smuggling and take legal action against those who violate Kuwait's laws and regulations.