Bedoun and Two Egyptians Busted in Alleged Kuwait Food Ration Fraud

KUWAIT CITY, Oct 2:  Kuwait authorities have arrested three suspects for allegedly manipulating the weights of subsidized food supplies and illegally selling the deducted quantities in the Al-Waha area.

The Ministry of Interior said the Criminal Security Sector, represented by the Jahra Governorate Investigation Department and Saad Al-Abdullah Investigation Office, arrested a Bedoun and two Egyptian nationals in connection with the case.

According to the ministry, the investigation began after information was received that the first suspect was possessing and selling subsidized food (ration) supplies despite not being eligible to receive them. He was arrested at his warehouse in Al-Waha with a stash of subsidized food stock in his possession.

During questioning, the suspect allegedly admitted that he had been purchasing rationed food from the other two suspects, who worked at a local subsidized food supply branch. He reportedly told investigators that the transactions had continued for around two years.

Investigators subsequently arranged an operation that led to the arrest of the other two suspects, identified as the head of the food supply branch and the branch warehouse manager.

The two allegedly confessed to reducing the actual weights of food supplies allocated to beneficiaries and selling the quantities deducted from the supplies to the first suspect.

The ministry said surveillance camera footage from the food supply branch was reviewed and corroborated the first suspect's statements.

Legal action has been taken against all three suspects and the case has been referred to the relevant authorities for further proceedings.