KUWAIT CITY, Dec 14: The Criminal Court acquitted a Kuwaiti citizen of charges related to drug use and driving under the influence, based on the fact that security forces are not permitted to arrest or search individuals and their vehicles based solely on suspicion. The citizen’s defense counsel Lawyer Ali Al-Ali explained after the ruling that there were procedural errors made by the security forces. They were required to obtain permission from the concerned authority before carrying out the arrest and search. Without this authorization, the entire case would be invalid, even if illegal items were seized.

Earlier, the Public Prosecution had charged the accused with possession of hashish with the intent to use it without proof of legal authorization, possession of the psychotropic substance methamphetamine with the intent to use it without legal authorization, and driving a motor vehicle under the influence of narcotics. According to the case file, the officer in charge explained that he noticed an individual inside a vehicle in Jabriya at 2:40 am and as soon as the man saw him, he attempted to flee, which prompted the officer to stop him.

The second witness then approached him and asked to see his identification. It was immediately apparent that the man was in an abnormal state, with red eyes, a strong odor emanating from him, and slurred speech. The officer noticed a 500 ml bottle in the vehicle’s cup holder containing a red liquid, suspected to be alcoholic. When the accused was detained, he resisted the second witness and tried to escape, so the officer exited the patrol car to assist in restraining him. During a precautionary search, a cigarette paper was found in his pocket. Upon further search of the vehicle, the officer discovered the aforementioned bottle, a transparent plastic tube used for drug consumption, a dark-colored piece wrapped in a nylon bag, and a small sachet containing a white substance. The items were seized, and the accused’s intent to use them for drugs was confirmed. Further investigation revealed that the accused had several prior criminal records.

By Jaber Al-Hamoud
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff