Kuwaiti security forces seized 77 firearms including machineguns and large quantities of ammunition during anti-drug campaigns mounted last year, a security source has disclosed.
The crackdown netted tons of narcotics and millions of tranquiliser pills, Kuwaiti newspaper Al Anba reported, quoting the source at the General Administration for Drug control.
The source confirmed that the link between the possession of some drug dealers and firearms prompts anti-drug police to approach them with “great care and precision” so that the weapons are not used by them.
Dealers caught with firearms were referred to the judiciary in two separate cases: the first for possessing drugs for the purpose of trafficking, and the second for the possession of firearms without a licence.
Under Kuwaiti law, the unlicensed possession of a weapon, ammunition or explosives is punishable by up to five years in prison and a maximum fine of KD10,000 ($32,407) or one of the two penalties.
In recent months, Kuwait has stepped up efforts to combat drug smuggling and reported several foiled attempts. Last month, the Kuwaiti Interior Ministry said anti-drug police had seized a haul of narcotics including around 18kg of different types of drugs and 12,000 intoxicating pills.
The contraband was seized in 17 different cases including hashish, marijuana, intoxicating substance locally known as Shabu, cocaine and Captagon pills.
The cases involved 21 suspects, who admitted in investigations that the seized items belonged to them for the purpose of trafficking and use.
Also in January, Kuwaiti authorities said they had dismantled an international network accused of smuggling large quantities of drugs for trafficking in the country.
The four-member ring is composed of two Arab nationals, a person without proper official documents, and a Kuwaiti woman.
They received their instructions from abroad, the ministry said.
A police raid seized in their possession 16kg of Shabu and 10,000 Tramadol pills hidden inside two fire extinguishers in an attempt to deceive security agencies.
