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Money laundering ring hit with KD 945mn fine

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 KUWAIT CITY, April 26: The Criminal Court, headed by Judge Al-Dhuwaihi Al-Dhuwaihi, sentenced 19 citizens and expatriates to prison terms ranging from three to 10 years on Thursday. The court also fined them and the involved companies around KD 945 million — double the amount obtained from the money laundering crime involving 29 individuals and nine companies. Their activities ranged from import and export to general trading, money exchange and food delivery. The court stated in its ruling that the defendants formed an organized criminal group through which they committed money laundering, using proceeds from crimes that harmed national interests. They committed forgery of bank and customs documents, fraud, customs evasion, violating provisions prohibiting the entry of goods into the country, deliberately violating due diligence measures, and possessing and selling prohibited imports.

The court ordered seven defendants to pay a joint fine of KD 510 million — twice the value of the laundered funds. It also ordered three defendants to pay a joint fine of KD 80,000 — equivalent to half the value of the laundered funds, and one defendant to pay a fine of KD 100,000 — equivalent to half the value of the laundered funds. The court also ordered the companies involved to pay a joint fine of KD 255 million (about $832 million) — equivalent to the total value of the funds involved in the crime. It ordered the deportation of the convicted expatriates after serving their prison terms, as well as the confiscation of forged documents, proceeds of the crime, and other income and benefits resulting from crimes and the funds involved in the money laundering scheme. According to the case documents, 21 defendants illegally collected cash in Kuwaiti dinars from others through an exchange company, whose administrative and financial affairs were overseen by one of the defendants. Another defendant delivered the funds to four other defendants at the headquarters of two of the implicated companies.

The funds were then received by the two defendants from the other defendants who deposited the money into the accounts of other implicated companies, as well as the accounts of the two other defendants. The funds were then transferred either through banks to companies outside Kuwait, with the knowledge of four defendants, or through exchange companies, with the knowledge of two defendants. Two defendants signed the remittance forms used to complete all financial transfers for two of the implicated companies in their capacity as directors of the companies. Three defendants assisted the others involved in the crime from which the funds in question were obtained by transporting the equipment used in the incident to the locations specified in the documents, to conceal evidence of the crime and help the defendants escape punishment. The defendants possessed and appropriated these funds and then used them to conduct foreign transfers to conceal and disguise the nature and truth of the illicit source of these funds, their ownership, and the rights related to them, as evidenced by the investigations.

By Jaber Al-Hamoud
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff

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Pakistani Man Detained After 70 AK 47 Bullets Found In Luggage At Kuwait Airport

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Pakistani Man Detained After 70 AK 47 Bullets Found In Luggage At Kuwait Airport

Image for illustrative purposes only

KUWAIT CITY, July 2: In a significant security breach narrowly averted, vigilant officers at Kuwait International Airport intercepted a Pakistani passenger attempting to smuggle 70 Kalashnikov bullets out of the country. The incident, which occurred during routine departure procedures, has raised serious concerns over airport security and passenger safety.

According to security sources, the passenger was traveling with his wife and preparing to board a flight to Pakistan when airport staff grew suspicious during a standard baggage check. A more thorough inspection of his luggage led to the alarming discovery of 70 live Kalashnikov rounds concealed inside one of his bags.

Authorities immediately detained the man and referred him to the appropriate investigative departments. A legal case has been registered as officials work to determine his intent and whether the ammunition was linked to any broader criminal activity. The possession and attempted smuggling of such weaponry not only constitutes a grave legal offense but also poses a serious threat to civil aviation safety.

Sources revealed that the suspect may have tried to exploit the typically high volume of passengers to discreetly move the ammunition through security. However, the smuggling attempt was thwarted due to the heightened alertness and strict enforcement of baggage inspection protocols by airport personnel.

“Despite the congestion and rush of travelers, our team remained fully committed to inspection procedures,” a security official stated. “It’s this level of vigilance that prevented a potentially dangerous situation.”

The incident underscores the continuing challenges airport authorities face in preventing the illegal transport of weapons and contraband. Investigations are ongoing to uncover any possible accomplices or underlying motives behind the attempted smuggling.

The suspect remains in custody as legal proceedings continue.

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Kuwait Seizes Subsidized Food Attempted To Be Smuggled Via Iranian Vessel

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Subsidized food confiscated from Iranian vessel

KUWAIT CITY, July 2: In a firm move to safeguard national food security and curb the illegal outflow of government-subsidized commodities, Kuwait’s General Administration of Customs announced the successful interception of an attempted smuggling operation involving subsidized food products.

The operation was carried out by the Northern Ports and Failaka Island Customs Administration, where officers seized significant quantities of subsidized goods that were being smuggled out of the country aboard an Iranian ferry. The seizure came during a meticulous inspection conducted by the Customs Passenger Inspection Office, which has heightened enforcement in light of strict national regulations prohibiting the export of subsidized food items under any circumstances.

“These commodities are subsidized by the government to support citizens and residents within Kuwait. Their export is strictly prohibited, as it constitutes misuse of public funds and undermines national support systems,” a customs official stated.

Following the seizure, the confiscated goods were transferred to a secure warehouse under the jurisdiction of the Customs Inspection Department. Legal proceedings have been initiated against those involved, with authorities emphasizing that violators will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

In coordination with other government bodies, an official letter has been sent to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The ministry has been tasked with taking prompt possession of the seized supplies to prevent spoilage and ensure they are reallocated or disposed of according to approved protocols.

The incident highlights Kuwait’s ongoing commitment to protecting public resources and ensuring that subsidized goods reach only their intended recipients within the country. Investigations into the smuggling attempt are ongoing.

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One Dead in Farwaniya Apartment Fire

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KUWAIT CITY, July 2: Firefighting teams from the Farwaniya and Subhan centers responded to a blaze that broke out in an apartment building in the Farwaniya area on Wednesday evening.

Firefighters quickly began efforts to contain and extinguish the fire. Despite their swift response, the incident tragically resulted in the death of one individual. Once the fire was brought under control, the scene was handed over to the relevant authorities for further investigation.

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