KUWAIT CITY, July 3: Authorities at the Nuwaiseeb border crossing have successfully thwarted a significant attempt to smuggle a large quantity of cigarettes into the country. Officers from the General Administration of Customs uncovered the smuggling operation during a comprehensive inspection in the lane designated for joint operations.
During the inspection, customs personnel discovered 1,455 packs of cigarettes expertly concealed within various parts of a private vehicle. The smuggled goods were hidden elaborately, utilizing hollow interior panels, the front and rear decorative parts of the vehicle, the roof lining, under the seats, and even beneath the vehicle’s flooring. Most notably, inspectors found that a section of the rear trunk had been deliberately cut and re-welded to create a hidden compartment, designed to evade detection.
What made the incident particularly alarming was the identity of the driver: an employee working within the joint operations team. It was found that he was misusing his position by exploiting the special inspection lane reserved for joint operations, likely expecting a more lenient or bypassed inspection process.
In response to the discovery, customs officials promptly filed an official seizure report. The confiscated cigarette packs were sealed with a customs security stamp, and the case (along with the seized contraband) was referred to the competent legal authorities for further investigation and prosecution.
The General Administration of Customs reiterated its commitment to combating all forms of smuggling, regardless of the methods or individuals involved. It emphasized that no attempt to undermine the country’s security will go unchecked and that customs personnel will continue to carry out their duties with maximum vigilance and professionalism.
