KUWAIT CITY, July 6: The Ministry of Interior has detained a security officer stationed at the Salmi border crossing, along with members of a Kuwaiti family, to investigate the smuggling of four minors who were caught crossing the border illegally. The minors were arrested by Saudi authorities after being found concealed inside a vehicle.

According to a security source, the incident took place at the Raqi border crossing in Saudi Arabia, where Saudi security officers apprehended four minors hidden inside a vehicle carrying a Kuwaiti family. The family had arrived at the border without passports and attempted to cross illegally.

The source explained that during questioning, the minors admitted they had originally crossed from Kuwait through the Salmi border crossing. They intended to re-enter Saudi Arabia via the Raqi crossing in the same manner, but their attempt was unsuccessful.

Following the arrests, the Saudi authorities held the suspects temporarily until Kuwaiti security forces were informed. The minors and the family were handed over to Kuwaiti officials last Thursday evening, who immediately launched a thorough investigation to uncover the full circumstances surrounding the illegal crossing.

As part of the ongoing inquiry, a soldier working at the Salmi border post was taken into custody for questioning. Authorities are examining whether the incident resulted from negligence in the soldier’s duties or if he was involved in illicit compensation. The investigation aims to clarify the security officer's possible role and any wider complicity in the smuggling operation.

Further details from the Al-Raqi border report revealed that port personnel became suspicious after hearing noises emanating from the vehicle. Upon inspection, everyone inside the four-wheel-drive was asked to exit, leading to the discovery that the four minors had been concealed beneath the vehicle’s floorboard in an attempt to evade detection by Kuwaiti and Saudi border officers.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to determine all facts related to this serious breach of border security.