6 Houses Used as Illegal Grocery Stores Shut, 11 Arrested in Kuwait

30/07/2026

KUWAIT CITY, Jul 30: Kuwait authorities have shut down six houses being used to operate unlicensed grocery stores and arrested 11 individuals for labor-law violations during a joint security campaign in the Capital Governorate.

The campaign was conducted by the Security Directorate Affairs Sector, represented by the Capital Governorate Security Directorate, in cooperation with the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition and the Kuwait Municipality.

The operation followed field inspections by support patrols from the Capital Governorate Security Directorate, which identified several houses suspected of being used for illegal commercial activities.

Authorities subsequently coordinated with the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition and Kuwait Municipality, completed the required legal procedures and obtained the necessary permits to inspect the locations.

The campaign resulted in:

6 houses seized for operating unlicensed commercial activities
11 individuals arrested for violations of labor laws
2 vehicles seized for distributing food and consumer goods to the houses
1 motorcycle seized that was wanted in a theft case
2 motorcycles impounded by Kuwait Municipality for operating in violation of regulations
26 violations issued by the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition against the seized sites

The violators were referred to the competent authorities for the necessary legal action.

The Ministry of Interior said joint security campaigns would continue across Kuwait’s governorates in coordination with relevant government agencies, as part of efforts to enforce the law and protect the security and safety of the community.