06/07/2026
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06/07/2026
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KUWAIT CITY, Jul 6: Kuwait's General Department of Criminal Investigations has dismantled a sophisticated criminal network accused of stealing marine cables worth approximately KD 420,000 from the Kuwait Oil Company (KOC), arresting several suspects, including Kuwaiti nationals and expatriates from Arab and Asian countries.
The operation was carried out as part of the Ministry of Interior's ongoing efforts to safeguard the country's critical infrastructure and protect public assets from organized criminal activity.
Insider Role Exposed
According to investigators, the gang stole around 400 tons of marine cables belonging to Kuwait Oil Company from the Al-Ahmadi area through a carefully planned operation involving insiders, forged documents, and impersonation.
Investigations revealed that one of the suspects, an employee of Kuwait Oil Company, allegedly abused his position by tampering with the serial numbers of the cables and preparing forged documents that enabled the stolen materials to be removed from company premises without raising suspicion.
Another suspect allegedly posed as an engineer to market and facilitate the sale of the stolen cables, while a third suspect purchased the cables and resold them as scrap metal using falsified paperwork in an attempt to conceal their origin and evade law enforcement.
Cash, Gold and Vehicle Seized
After obtaining the necessary legal authorization, criminal investigators arrested the suspects and carried out search operations that uncovered significant assets believed to have been obtained through the illegal scheme.
Authorities seized KD37,000 in cash, gold jewelry, and a vehicle allegedly purchased with proceeds from the sale of the stolen cables from one suspect.
Another suspect was found in possession of KD26,210 in cash as well as US$1,000.
Investigators also confiscated the forged official stamp used in the fraudulent documentation process.
Stolen Cables Recovered
The stolen marine cables, valued at approximately KD420,000, were successfully recovered and secured in coordination with the Kuwait Oil Company, preventing what authorities described as a major financial loss.
The suspects have been referred to the competent judicial authorities after the completion of the necessary legal procedures.
Ministry Vows Tough Action
The Ministry of Interior reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the nation's resources and infrastructure, stressing that security agencies will continue to pursue anyone attempting to target state assets or threaten national security.
Officials emphasized that all those involved in crimes against public property will face the full force of the law, regardless of their position or nationality.
by John C Fernandes
Arab Times Online Media Manager
