Kuwait Arrests 27, Seizes 894 Boxes of Potentially Rotten Fish

KUWAIT CITY, Oct 29: Kuwait’s General Department of Criminal Investigation has arrested 27 people accused of tampering with the production and expiration dates of imported fish to extend their shelf life and sell them to restaurants, companies and shops.

The Ministry of Interior said the arrests were made by the Counterfeiting and Forgery Crimes Department following information received about suspected commercial fraud. Investigations revealed that the suspects were allegedly printing labels bearing incorrect dates and placing them on boxes of imported fish.

After obtaining a warrant from the Public Prosecution, specialized teams raided the Central Fish Market and arrested the suspects.

During the operation, authorities seized 16 refrigerated transport vehicles carrying 894 boxes of imported fish with allegedly falsified expiration dates. A computer used to prepare and print the counterfeit labels was also confiscated.

During questioning, the suspects confessed to altering the expiration dates and acknowledged enlisting the services of a printing company, according to the ministry.

Further investigations revealed that two other companies linked to the case were operating only as registered addresses, with no actual business activity, the ministry said.

The suspects and seized items were referred to the competent authorities for the necessary legal action.

The Ministry of Interior said the operation was part of ongoing security efforts to combat commercial fraud and protect consumers.