Three Kuwaitis, a Jordanian and an Egyptian Arrested in Kuwait’s Biggest Lyrica Drug Haul

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 26: The General Directorate for Drug Control, under the direct supervision of First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, has foiled what authorities described as the largest operation for the manufacture and distribution of the psychoactive drug Lyrica in the history of Kuwait.

The Criminal Security Sector arrested five suspects in connection with the operation, including three Kuwaiti citizens and two expatriates of Jordanian and Egyptian nationalities. The suspects were allegedly involved in managing a sophisticated facility used to manufacture and distribute Lyrica capsules.

The inspections resulted in the seizure of the following items:

The total estimated market value of all seized items was put at approximately KD 150 million.

The operation followed intensive investigations and close surveillance by drug control officers, who uncovered the suspects’ activities and identified three locations linked to the network. Two locations were used to store raw Lyrica powder and finished capsules, while the third had been converted into a fully equipped manufacturing facility.

According to the authorities, the factory contained a large industrial machine designed for manufacturing capsules of the type commonly used in pharmaceutical production facilities. It also included specialized equipment for filling and packaging the capsules in containers designed to make the products appear to be genuine medicines manufactured and distributed by authorized pharmaceutical companies.

The discovery of the facility revealed the scale and sophistication of the operation, which was allegedly designed to produce large quantities of Lyrica capsules for distribution in the illicit market. Initial investigations found that one of the accused confessed to refraining from distributing the seized quantity and instead storing it, fearing the severe penalties stipulated under Kuwait’s new anti-narcotics law. Authorities said this indicates that the new legislation had a deterrent effect before the drugs could reach users.

The suspects and seized items were referred to the competent authority for the necessary legal measures, while efforts are continuing to identify and arrest anyone else proven to be involved in the case.

Sheikh Fahad Yousef affirmed that the new anti-narcotics law has strengthened Kuwait’s deterrent system and become a source of fear for drug traffickers, prompting them to think carefully before attempting to smuggle or distribute drugs. He stressed that the Ministry of Interior remains committed to enforcing the law firmly and continuing its efforts to protect society and safeguard the country’s security and stability.

The Ministry of Interior reaffirmed its continued efforts to confront drug trafficking and prevent the manufacture, promotion and distribution of narcotic and psychotropic substances in Kuwait. It also urged the public to cooperate with security authorities and report suspicious activities through the General Directorate for Drug Control hotline at 1884141.