Indians And Nepalese Among 52 Held As Kuwait Cracks Down On Illegal Liquor Ring

24/07/2025

KUWAIT CITY, July 24 — In a dramatic crackdown led by Kuwait’s top security officials, authorities have dismantled a sophisticated criminal network running illegal liquor factories across six residential neighbourhoods in the capital. The coordinated sting, carried out under the direct supervision of His Excellency the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah, has resulted in the arrest of 52 individuals—including both male and female suspects of Nepalese and Indian nationalities—who were allegedly involved in the production, packaging, and distribution of locally brewed alcohol.

The operation unfolded on Wednesday, July 23, and included high-ranking officials such as Acting Director General of Kuwait Municipality, Engineer Manal Al-Asfour, Assistant Undersecretary for Criminal Security Affairs Major General Hamed Al-Dawas, and several senior figures from various cooperating government bodies.

Authorities revealed that rented homes in Mishref, Jaber Al-Ali, Al-Nahda, Faiha, Saad Al-Abdullah, and Al-Qusour had been converted into full-scale illegal liquor factories. These properties, located in quiet residential zones, were deliberately chosen to deflect suspicion and blend in with ordinary domestic life—while inside, barrels of raw ingredients, distillation equipment, and thousands of filled bottles were being churned out in industrial quantities.

Once the necessary legal warrants were obtained, elite teams launched simultaneous dawn raids on the targeted houses. What they uncovered was a well-oiled black-market enterprise: extensive quantities of brewing chemicals, thousands of plastic bottles pre-filled and ready for sale, and eight vehicles used to supply materials, distribute alcohol, and even provide basic provisions like food and water to the underground workforce.

Among those arrested were two suspects found with large amounts of cash and a money-counting machine, believed to be the gang’s financiers tasked with handling the profits from illegal sales. In a swift follow-up operation, the alleged kingpin of the network was also taken into custody after close surveillance revealed he had been directing operations by phone and coordinating with unknown individuals outside the country.

In total, the arrests included 30 men and 22 women, all of whom are now facing charges related to the manufacture and distribution of alcohol, which is strictly prohibited in Kuwait.

Authorities described the bust as a major victory in the ongoing fight against illegal alcohol production. “This operation is a clear message to all criminals and violators of our laws,” a Ministry of Interior spokesperson stated. “Security campaigns will continue without pause, and we will use all available resources to protect the safety, health, and values of our society.”

The Ministry has also urged the public to report any suspicious activities and reiterated its commitment to working closely with various state institutions to crack down on illegal networks operating within the country.