{
  "id": 3519994,
  "title": "Kuwait seizes $485m of pills in 'biggest drugs bust in its history'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/kuwait-seizes-485m-of-pills-in-biggest-drugs-bust-in-its-history",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-26T13:42:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2026/08/26/kuwait-seizes-485m-of-pills-in-biggest-drugs-bust-in-its-history/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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).\n\nThe 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.\n\nThe 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.",
  "summary": "Kuwait on Wednesday announced it had carried out the largest drugs bust in its history, seizing nearly $500 million worth of a medicine that has become a popular party drug. The haul consisted of five million tonnes of powder and almost four million capsules ready for sale, said Sheikh Fahad Al Yousef, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. The drug is Lyrica, a brand of anxiety…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "Kuwait seizes $485m of pills in 'biggest drugs bust in its history'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/kuwait-seizes-485m-of-pills-in-biggest-drugs-bust-in-its-history-3524531",
        "published": "2026-08-26T13:42:26.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}