Kuwaiti authorities have intercepted an attempt to smuggle a substantial shipment of cigarettes out of the country, apprehending a Gulf national involved in the operation. The seizure took place at the Nuwaiseeb border crossing on June 15, according to an official statement from the Ministry of Interior.

The General Department of Criminal Investigation’s Land Border Investigations Department carried out the operation following suspicions about the individual’s vehicle. Upon inspection, officers discovered 210 cartons of cigarettes concealed within the vehicle’s body.

Further investigation revealed that the accused had earlier evaded a customs checkpoint the same day but subsequently returned and surrendered to authorities that evening. During questioning, the suspect admitted to acquiring the contraband cigarettes from two individuals identified as an Indian and a Syrian. He reportedly received the shipment at a dirt lot in the Wafra area before transporting and hiding the cartons inside his vehicle in preparation for smuggling them across the border.

Legal action has been initiated against the suspect, and the vehicle involved in the smuggling attempt has been confiscated in accordance with Kuwaiti regulations. The Ministry of Interior emphasized ongoing efforts to curb smuggling activities through the country’s land borders.