Kuwait Busts Drug Money Laundering Ring Using Phone Recharge Cards

09/06/2026

KUWAIT CITY, Jun 9: Kuwait’s General Department of Criminal Investigation, through the Hawally Governorate Investigation Department, has arrested two individuals involved in laundering proceeds from drug trafficking after uncovering a new method used to conceal illicit funds, the Ministry of Interior said.

Authorities said intensive investigations revealed that drug dealers were using mobile phone recharge cards as an alternative to cash payments. Buyers were instructed to purchase the cards and send their details to traffickers, who then converted their value into cash through intermediaries in an attempt to disguise the financial flow and evade detection.

The investigation led to the arrest of the first suspect, who was found in possession of cash and later confessed to receiving recharge cards, reselling them, and converting their value into money for redistribution within the network.

Following his interrogation, authorities set up an ambush and arrested a second suspect while he was receiving proceeds from the illicit transactions. During questioning, he reportedly admitted to collecting, distributing, and managing funds based on instructions from an inmate at the Central Prison convicted in a drug trafficking case.

Investigators also found that part of the funds was used to purchase supplies for the imprisoned trafficker, while the remainder was distributed through intermediaries to conceal the origin of the money.

Legal proceedings have been initiated against both suspects. The Ministry of Interior said it remains committed to tracking evolving criminal techniques linked to drug trafficking and money laundering, stressing that strict action will be taken against all those involved in such activities to safeguard public security.