5 Bangladeshis arrested in Kuwait for e-cigarettes to students
Collected Photo
The General Department of Criminal Investigation arrested five Bangladeshi nationals in Kuwait for allegedly operating an illegal grocery store inside a residential home in the Saad Al-Abdullah area to sell electronic cigarettes to school students.
According to the Ministry of Interior, the suspects ran the grocery business near a school and distributed e-cigarettes to teenagers through a delivery and pickup system operating outside the house.
Security officials initiated the crackdown after receiving a tip-off about the illegal sale of electronic cigarettes to minors. Following investigations and surveillance, security personnel confirmed the intelligence and uncovered how the group received, prepared, and delivered orders.
Law enforcement officers caught the first suspect outside the residence while he was selling e-cigarettes to school children. Security personnel then searched the building and arrested the remaining four suspects.
During the raid, officers confiscated 13 large boxes of e-cigarettes, 23 small boxes of e-cigarettes, 219 small bags of tobacco, and KD 1,722 in cash, which officials believe represent revenue from the illegal sales.
During questioning, all five suspects admitted that they worked at the grocery facility and divided operational responsibilities among themselves. Their tasks included supervising workers, collecting money, taking orders over the phone, packaging the items, and arranging deliveries.
Authorities referred the five suspects and all confiscated contraband to the competent legal authorities for necessary legal action. The Ministry of Interior said the crackdown forms part of continuous security initiatives aimed at shielding minors and safeguarding their health and safety.
Source: Arab News (adapted)
