Kuwait's new anti-drug rules: Death penalty for traffickers, random tests and million-dinar fines introduced

Kuwait has officially approved a new, tougher anti-drug law, the Cabinet announced on Monday, October 28, 2025, introducing random drug testing, harsher jail terms, and the death penalty for serious trafficking cases. The draft decree-law was endorsed during the weekly Cabinet meeting and forwarded to the Amiri Diwan for final approval, marking one of the country’s strictest crackdowns on narcotics in decades.

Kuwait’s new anti-drug law
Kuwait’s Cabinet has approved a draft decree-law that dramatically toughens the country’s approach to narcotics and psychotropic substances, merging long-standing legislation into a single, stricter legal code. The reform expands the range of punishments to include the death penalty for the most serious offences, life imprisonment for others, and fines running into the millions of Kuwaiti dinars. The draft was referred to the Amir for final approval after the Cabinet’s endorsement.

Key provisions: death penalty, testing and fines
The draft decree-law reportedly structured in 84 articles across 13 chapters,unifies Law No. 74 of 1983 and Decree-Law No. 48 of 1987 into a single framework that sharpens definitions and closes legal loopholes. It lists circumstances that can automatically trigger capital punishment: involvement in organised trafficking rings, exploiting minors or vulnerable people, smuggling drugs into prisons, or abusing official authority to facilitate drug crimes. Organisers and managers of illicit networks face the harshest penalties, while participants and aides can receive life terms and large fines. The law also includes powers for random drug testing and broader enforcement authority to curb distribution and use.

Government rationale and process
Officials framed the move as part of a determined national campaign against a growing drug problem that threatens security and public health. Authorities say unifying the laws will streamline prosecutions, remove ambiguities, and strengthen deterrence — arguing heavier penalties and expanded tools are needed to dismantle organised smuggling and protect society. The Cabinet referred the draft to His Highness the Amir for ratification, which is the next formal step before it becomes law.

Reactions and concerns
The proposal has two predictable effects: it reassures segments of the public and officials demanding a hardline response, and it raises questions among human-rights observers and legal experts about proportionality, due process and outcomes. Critics worry that broader random testing and severe mandatory sentences could lead to wrongful convictions, strain prison systems, or disproportionately hit vulnerable populations. Supporters counter that Kuwait must act decisively to curb cross-border syndicates and drug networks that endanger communities. Expect debate over implementing regulations, judicial discretion, and safeguards if the Amir signs the decree into law.

Timeline and practical impact
The Cabinet has referred the draft to the Amir; if ratified, the law will enter the formal legal pipeline and authorities will publish implementing regulations. Practically, the changes will likely mean intensified border controls, more frequent random testing campaigns, and tougher prosecutions of trafficking networks, plus potential increases in fines and asset seizures. Observers will watch for guidance on how courts will apply death-penalty provisions and what administrative safeguards will be introduced to protect basic legal rights.

Bottom line
Kuwait’s draft anti-drug decree signals a sharp shift toward punitive deterrence: wider enforcement powers, heavier penalties and unified legal tools to fight trafficking. While the government says the aim is to protect society and close loopholes, the law also raises serious questions about proportionality, civil liberties and implementation issues that will shape public debate as the draft heads for the Amir’s approval and possible enactment.