Kuwait seizes $485m of pills in 'biggest drugs bust in its history'

Kuwait made history on Wednesday by arresting the largest drug smuggling operation the country has ever seen, seizing nearly $500 million worth of a commonly used recreational drug. The arrest came after the discovery of a massive supply of Lyrica, a brand of medication used to treat anxiety, epilepsy, and nerve pain. Sheikh Fahad Al Yousef, the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, announced during a drug prevention event that the haul consisted of five million pounds of powder and almost four million capsules, valued at 150 million Kuwaiti dinars ($485 million).

The drugs were found in what was described as a factory for producing Lyrica, along with equipment used to prepare capsules. Authorities also uncovered a farming operation near the Saudi border where 15 million illegally obtained pills were discovered in 2023. Lyrica, also known as pregabalin, is a prescription drug that can be used to control seizures, alleviate anxiety, and manage nerve pain. However, it has gained popularity as a party drug in the Middle East.

The bust highlights the severity of the drug issue in Kuwait, with authorities intensifying their efforts to combat the problem. Last year, the Gulf state introduced a new drug law that has reportedly become a deterrent for drug dealers. Kuwait has been working in unison with neighboring countries to tackle the narcotics trade, including a joint operation with Iraq that resulted in the seizure of over 300,000 Captagon pills in February.

Captagon is an amphetamine commonly used in the region. Moreover, Kuwait has been involved in an operation with the UAE, where more than 14 million Captagon pills were seized during a covert sea shipment disguised as sacks of corn.