Kuwait Imposed Average of One Death Sentence per Month in Drug Cases Last Year

Kuwaiti courts issued an average of one death sentence per month against drug dealers last year as the country intensifies its efforts to combat narcotics trafficking and smuggling.

Twelve drug dealers were handed death sentences in Kuwait in 2023 after being convicted of smuggling or trading in illicit substances in various cases, Al Qabas newspaper reported, citing judicial statistics.

Three of the inmates were caught growing narcotics in home gardens and other places, as well as processing drugs for trading. The remaining convicts were found guilty of possessing and smuggling drugs in collaboration with international gangs.

According to the statistics, 59 other convicts received life sentences on charges of drug trafficking. These included eight defendants convicted of planting narcotics, 32 others for possessing and bringing in drugs with the intention of trading.

Twelve others were convicted of possessing drugs for personal use, four were found guilty of possessing psychotropic drugs, and three more defendants were convicted of drug taking and trafficking.

A total of 6,911 verdicts were delivered last year in Kuwait in drug-related cases. These included 6,034 conviction rulings and 877 acquittals.

The high conviction rates were attributed to the “professionalism in seizure and inspection” by law enforcement officers, according to a legal expert.

Last week, the Kuwaiti Interior Ministry announced it had foiled an attempt to smuggle nearly 160 kilograms of hashish into the country. Four persons were arrested in connection with the attempt.

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