Is Cocaine legal in Kuwait?
- Legal status
- Prohibited under Kuwait's 2025 unified Anti-Drug Law — DEATH or life for trafficking (Arts 42–43), mandatory death in aggravated cases (Art 44); no medical or recreational use
- Consequences if caught
- Cocaine is a prohibited controlled drug under Kuwait's 2025 unified Anti-Drug Law. Kuwait retains the DEATH penalty. Under Kuwait's 2025 unified Anti-Drug Law (Amiri Decree-Law replacing Law No. 74 of 1983 and Law No. 48 of 1987), import/smuggling/manufacture/cultivation with trafficking intent (Art 42) or possession/sale/purchase/promotion with trafficking intent (Art 43) can bring DEATH or life plus very large fines; Art 44 makes death MANDATORY in aggravating circumstances (recidivism, supplying or exploiting minors, abuse of official position). Personal-use (non-trafficking) possession carries up to 10 years plus a fine. Foreigners are DEPORTED after sentence. NOTE: the exact decree number is reported as both 59/2025 and 159/2025 — verify. The sources set NO specific per-drug gram threshold — confirm the exact quantity that distinguishes trafficking.
- If prescribed or medical
- Not a prescribed traveller medicine; a prohibited controlled drug.
- Documentation
- Kuwait retains the death penalty for drug trafficking, with mandatory death in aggravating circumstances (Art 44: recidivism, supplying/exploiting minors, abuse of official position). There is zero medical or recreational cannabis. 2025 additions include random drug testing for military/civilian employees, mandatory testing for driver's-license and marriage applicants, immediate arrest powers, and compulsory hospitalization for addicts; addicts who voluntarily seek treatment are granted immunity. Foreigners are DEPORTED after sentence. NOTE: the exact 2025 decree number is reported as both 59/2025 and 159/2025 — verify. Carry any controlled medicine with its prescription and confirm requirements with your embassy before travel.
- Kuwait's 2025 unified Anti-Drug Law (Amiri Decree-Law, replacing Law No. 74 of 1983 and Law No. 48 of 1987), Arts 42/43/44
- exact decree number reported as both 59/2025 and 159/2025 — verify
- Official Gazette and KUNA (corroborative)
- kuwaittimes.com
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Kuwait’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.
Before you travel
Verify current rules with the destination country’s official drug authority and your own country’s embassy before traveling. Find the destination’s U.S. embassy & official country guidance →
Non-U.S. travelers: check your own government’s travel advisory and embassy.
If you’re detained or arrested abroad
Contact your own country’s embassy or consulate in the destination immediately — not the destination’s authorities. U.S. citizens: contact the nearest U.S. embassy/consulate and the U.S. State Department at +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad). If a U.S. citizen is arrested or detained abroad →
