Kuwait Cracks Down on Deadly Methanol Poisoning Ring
Kuwaiti authorities have arrested 67 individuals in connection with the production and distribution of illicit locally made alcoholic beverages that have claimed 23 lives in recent days, the Interior Ministry reported.
Alcohol is strictly prohibited in Kuwait, and both importation and domestic production are illegal. However, some underground operations continue in secret locations, often lacking proper safety measures, putting consumers at serious risk of poisoning.
In a statement posted on X late Saturday, the Interior Ministry confirmed that six operational factories had been seized, along with four additional sites that had not yet begun production. These facilities were located across both residential and industrial areas.
The Health Ministry revealed on Thursday that the number of methanol poisoning cases linked to the tainted drinks had climbed to 160, with 23 fatalities, primarily affecting Asian nationals. This marked a sharp increase from earlier reports citing 13 deaths.
At least 51 people required urgent kidney dialysis, while 31 needed mechanical ventilation. Additionally, 21 survivors have suffered permanent blindness or impaired vision. This incident is a stark reminder of other cases, such as a UK tourist blinded by methanol poisoning in Laos.
Authorities identified the ringleader of the criminal network as a Bangladeshi national, who has been arrested. A Nepali suspect reportedly detailed the process used to prepare and distribute methanol-laced beverages, according to the Interior Ministry.
The Indian Embassy in Kuwait, which has the largest expatriate community in the country, reported that around 40 Indian nationals were hospitalised in recent days, without specifying the cause.
The Interior Ministry has vowed zero tolerance toward those who endanger lives, promising to intensify efforts to stamp out the trade in alcohol, narcotics, and other harmful substances.
