Civilian contractors may get death penalty for drug smuggling in Kuwait

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US army probes alleged postal misuse in Kuwait marijuana case
(DPA)

19 April 2006

KUWAIT CITY - The US military said on Wednesday that it was investigating allegations that its postal service was used to smuggle marijuana into Kuwait. The investigation was prompted by the arrest Sunday of three US civilians sub-contracted by the US military who were allegedly found in possession of at least three kilos of marijuana.

Local newspapers had on Tuesday reported that Kuwaiti police had arrested three “US soldiers” in a sting operation after they allegedly tried to sell them some 1,200 dinars (4,000 dollars)-worth of marijuana.

The men reportedly told police at first they were US soldiers. They also allegedly confessed to using the US postal service within the military to get the marijuana into Kuwait, newspapers said.

She confirmed the men were not US military personnel, but civilian contractors for the military. snip

The men were sent to Kuwait’s public prosecutor, and are expected to stand trial in the Gulf state. Kuwait’s penal code includes the death penalty for certain cases of drug smuggling and sale.