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Kuwaiti authorities halted a massive Lyrica trafficking operation managed from inside prison/Representative Image
TL;DR:
- Kuwait’s Interior Ministry uncovered the country’s largest drug distribution network, seizing over 800,000 Lyrica capsules directed from an inmate within Central Prison.
- The ring utilized a rented livestock enclosure in Kabad, air freight shipments from Asia, and repackaging tools to manage distribution.
- Authorities emphasize continuation of aggressive enforcement against international narcotics syndicates operating within Kuwait.
In what officials called the largest narcotics bust in Kuwaiti history, authorities detained a multi-national smuggling network, confiscating over 800,000 Lyrica capsules after tracing the operation to a Central Prison inmate directing it from behind bars.
The ringleader coordinated shipments from Asia via air cargo, storing the illicit goods covertly in a rented animal enclosure before distribution.According to the statement mentioned in Kuwait Times, the main suspect, a Kuwaiti national already serving time in Central Prison, is known to authorities for multiple drug trafficking cases and has several convictions on record. Investigators tracked one of his accomplices, described as a stateless resident (bidoon), who was caught selling capsules to an undercover source.
Continued surveillance led authorities to a remote livestock pen, or jakhour, in the Kabd area that the group had been renting through a Kuwaiti intermediary for KD 600 per month.
Investigation & network structure
Authorities say the General Department for Drug Control (GDDC) of the Interior Ministry’s Criminal Security Sector conducted weeks of surveillance before making arrests.
- The ring operated under the direction of Muhammad Hamza Abbas al-Muhamid, a convicted Kuwaiti prisoner who maintained operational control via mobile communication.
- Accomplice Rashid Shihab Rashid, a stateless Bedoon resident, was arrested selling Lyrica to an undercover agent.
- A remote livestock pen (jakhour) in the Kabad area was used as a warehousing and repackaging site, rented under a local citizen’s name for KD 600/month.
- During the raid, one suspect resisted arrest, damaging law enforcement property. Authorities found packaging tools, powdered Lyrica, and the capsule stockpile, indoor on-site.
International link and air freight smuggling
- Interrogation revealed shipments were coordinated from an Asian source, concealed in seven large cargo boxes arriving via air freight to Kuwait.
- Customs agents at the airport seized the packages after being alerted by the GDDC.
Why this operation is significant
- Scale and Sophistication: Over 800,000 capsules seized and ring fully managed from a prison cell highlight bold criminal entrenchment.
- Symbolic Deterrence: Targeting a network led by a convicted inmate underscores government resolve to disrupt drug operations regardless of location or resources.
- Regional Coordination: The seizure reflects ongoing cooperation between Kuwaiti law enforcement and customs, signaling elevated vigilance on international drug trafficking via air and sea routes.
What is Lyrica and why is it illegal in Kuwait?
Among the drugs seized in Kuwait’s largest-ever narcotics operation was Lyrica, the brand name for the prescription medication pregabalin, a substance now formally banned for sale in Kuwait’s private pharmacies.
Lyrica and related medications such as gabapentin were reclassified by the Ministry of Health on January 10, 2024, from Table 4 (dispensable in private settings) to Table 2, restricting distribution exclusively to government health facilities. Historically used to treat neuropathic pain, epilepsy, and anxiety disorders, Lyrica can also produce sedative and euphoric effects, making it prone to misuse when obtained without medical oversight.
This misuse became a significant concern, prompting health authorities to tighten its legal status. Possession or sale of pregabalin (Lyrica) outside approved channels is now a criminal offence, with penalties including jail terms for unauthorized users or distributors. The seizure of over 800,000 Lyrica capsules in the recent operation highlights Kuwait’s intensified enforcement efforts not only against illicit street drugs but also against pharmaceutical substances diverted from regulated medical use. This operation marks a watershed moment in Kuwait’s battle against organized narcotics distribution. The dismantling of a massive Lyrica network, directed from prison, smuggled via air freight, and hidden in livestock enclosures, demonstrates both the depth of criminal ingenuity and the growing precision of official countermeasures. Authorities reiterate their commitment to intercepting illicit drug flows and safeguarding public health, regardless of legal or logistical obstacles.
FAQ
Lyrica capsules, used illegally as psychotropic substances, over 800,000 units confiscated.
- 2. Who led the smuggling network?
A Kuwaiti inmate, Muhammad Hamza Abbas al‑Muhamid, operating from inside Central Prison.
- 3. How was storage arranged?
A rented livestock pen (jakhour) in Kabad was used for packaging and distribution logistics.
- 4. Where did the drugs come from?
Shipments were traced to Asia and entered Kuwait via air cargo to be processed by accomplices.
- 5. Is this part of broader crackdown efforts?
Yes, Kuwait continues large-scale operations, including joint actions with neighbouring countries like the UAE to intercept Captagon and other narcotics.
