Kuwait police have arrested a non-Kuwaiti expat for selling illegal alcohol. Officers found many bottles of liquor and a huge amount of cash hidden in his home. Here are the key details of this police raid: An expat was arrested for trafficking imported liquor in the Jaber Al-Ahmad area on September 18, 2026. Police recovered 172 bottles of imported liquor and KD 465,750 in cash from a storage area in his home. Investigators are probing potential money laundering as the suspect allegedly used digital payment links to collect funds.
On September 18, 2026, the Kuwait Ministry of Interior announced that the Criminal Security Sector arrested a non-Kuwaiti expatriate for allegedly trafficking imported liquor. The arrest took place in the Jaber Al-Ahmad area of the Ahmadi Governorate following a tip-off received by Criminal Investigation Department officers. The suspect was apprehended as he exited his residence. Upon interrogation, he allegedly confessed to the sale of imported alcohol and directed investigators to a storage area located within the home.
During the search, authorities recovered 172 bottles of imported liquor and KD 465,750 in cash, which officials believe are the proceeds from the illegal trade. Investigators are currently probing potential money laundering activities. It is alleged that the suspect utilized digital payment links to collect funds from buyers before depositing the money into bank accounts to conceal the illicit origin of the cash. The suspect is now undergoing legal proceedings and will be referred to the competent authorities.
Alcohol remains strictly prohibited in Kuwait, and authorities warn that the possession, sale, or trafficking of liquor by expatriates often results in arrest, prosecution, deportation, and potential re-entry bans. This incident follows a series of similar operations throughout 2026 targeting both street-level sales and larger, farm-based production facilities. Official documentation and evidence were provided by the Kuwait Ministry of Interior, with the suspect's identity protected in released materials. Information regarding this case was reported by the Times Kuwait and Arab Times following the official announcement on September 17, 2026.
