KUWAIT CITY, Aug 3: In a major crackdown on residency permit trafficking, the General Administration of Residence Affairs Investigations has dismantled a gang of Syrian nationals involved in the illicit trade. Acting on the directives of His Excellency the First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, the Residency Affairs Sector successfully apprehended the group, which had been operating through fraudulent means.

The gang was found to be running non-existent companies, falsifying documents, and manipulating records to bring hundreds of workers into Kuwait illegally in exchange for money. Charges for these illegal services ranged from 500 dinars for internal transfers to 2000 dinars for overseas recruitment per worker.

The swift action by the Residency Affairs Investigations officers led to the arrest of all involved parties, including their citizen sponsors and any facilitators. Legal proceedings have been initiated against those apprehended, and they have been referred to the relevant authorities for further action.

The Ministry of Interior has reiterated its commitment to combatting residency permit trafficking with full force, warning that anyone engaging in such illegal activities will face severe consequences.