Truck driver arrested in major drug pills bounty

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Kuwaiti authorities seized 300,000 Captagon pills worth approximately $1.62 million hidden in a truck's spare tire and arrested a Turkish driver involved in a broader drug trafficking network. This operation, overseen by senior officials, underscores Kuwait’s intensified efforts to combat drug smuggling and maintain national security.

Kuwaiti authorities announced the seizure of 300,000 Captagon pills, estimated to be worth over 500,000 Kuwaiti Dinars (approximately $1.62 million), in a drug bust carried out in the Kabd area. The pills were concealed inside the spare tire of a truck, hidden with insulating material, which required the expertise of the Kuwait Fire Force to safely open and uncover the narcotics.

The arrest was made by officers from the General Department for Drug Control (DCGD) at the Interior Ministry, following an investigation into drug trafficking activities. The operation was conducted under the direct supervision of First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah. Present during the intervention were senior officials including Brigadier General Fahad Al-Bader, Assistant Undersecretary for Criminal Security Affairs; Brigadier General Mohammad Qabazard, DCGD Director General; and Brigadier General Sheikh Hamad Al-Sabah, Assistant Director General of DCGD.

The suspect, a Turkish truck driver, was detained at the scene. He reportedly admitted to transporting the Captagon pills into Kuwait from a neighboring country through a border crossing while on a transit visa. Authorities indicated that the driver’s role was part of a broader network targeting drug smuggling routes into the country.

In a separate but related legal matter, Kuwait’s Criminal Court sentenced a Kuwaiti municipal employee and his Indian partner to seven years in prison for smuggling subsidized diesel fuel out of Kuwait for resale abroad. Four Indian nationals involved in the scheme received one-month prison sentences, while a customs inspector, a Ministry of Interior sergeant, and an Egyptian marketing director were acquitted in the case. These sentences highlight ongoing efforts by Kuwaiti security and judicial authorities to curb various forms of illicit trade and smuggling.

Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef emphasized that the government remains committed to dismantling drug trafficking networks and warned that attempts to bring narcotics into Kuwait would face strict enforcement measures. The interior ministry reiterated its determination to maintain national security by preventing such illegal activities and pursuing those involved.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.