Kuwait’s Farwaniya Governorate Security Directorate carried out a large-scale campaign in Khaitan on Thursday, October 8, arresting 65 people wanted for absconding or expired residency cases. Seven others were detained for expired visas.
The operation, conducted with several government agencies and formed part of ongoing efforts to locate wanted individuals, residency violators, and establishments operating outside regulations. It also led to 44 traffic violations and the impounding of 33 abandoned vehicles. Authorities seized three vehicles linked to theft and breach-of-trust cases.
Brigadier General Faisal Al-Riyah, director general of the Farwaniya Governorate Security Directorate, and his deputy, Brigadier General Yousef Al-Soula, oversaw the campaign. The Ministry of Interior announced the results through a post on its official Facebook page, saying the action was part of continued efforts to track down wanted individuals and residency violators.
Arrests and Seizures
Most of the arrests involved workers and residents sought over absconding reports or lapsed residency documents. Authorities did not release the nationalities or identities of those detained.
Those arrested included:
- Three people wanted on arrest warrants for debt.
- One person wanted in a drug case.
- One person wanted for theft.
- One person arrested in a separate drug case.
- One intoxicated individual.
- One person barred from entering Kuwait.
Security teams also seized three vehicles during the operation. Two were wanted in separate breach-of-trust cases, while the third was linked to a theft case.
Traffic and Vehicle Enforcement
Traffic personnel issued 44 violations across the area. The impounded abandoned vehicles were among the most visible results of the campaign, with 33 cars removed from Khaitan’s streets.
Officials did not say where the vehicles were taken or provide a timeline for owners to reclaim them. The ministry said enforcement against abandoned and unregistered vehicles remains part of its wider traffic and security work.
Labor and Environmental Inspections
The campaign extended beyond arrests and traffic enforcement. Inspectors from government agencies visited commercial establishments and public sites to check compliance with labor, environmental, safety, and licensing rules.
The Public Authority for Manpower issued 13 violations of the Labor Law at commercial establishments. The Public Authority for the Environment issued two directives over the improper storage of materials.
The General Fire Force took the strongest action among the participating agencies. It ordered 43 establishments closed and issued 25 warnings requiring owners to correct safety violations. The ministry did not identify the businesses involved or say how long the closures would remain in place.
Electricity and Commerce Violations
The Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy issued 202 notifications requiring violations to be rectified. These included one case involving a broken electricity meter and another involving a direct connection to the power supply intended to defraud the utility and steal electricity.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry recorded 18 commercial violations. The cases covered pricing irregularities, special offers, invoices, explanatory product data, and commercial licenses.
Municipal Violations and Clean-Up
Kuwait Municipality also took part in the operation, focusing on building violations, blocked roads, and improperly maintained properties. Inspectors issued 108 violations of building regulations and 21 reports against shops.
Municipal teams also dealt with roads obstructed by loads of vegetables and fruits, issuing 53 reports. Other actions included:
- Seven cleaning operations at sites across the area.
- Removal of 33 abandoned vehicles.
- Three stickers placed on properties found in violation of Law No. 125 of 1992.
Ongoing Enforcement
The ministry said the campaign produced 693 seizures, violations, and enforcement actions in total. They announced that legal procedures are being taken against those arrested and cited.
Authorities said similar campaigns will continue with the relevant agencies to apprehend violators and maintain public safety. The aim, according to the ministry, is to apprehend wanted individuals and violators while improving security and public safety across Kuwait.