A Lebanese man, wanted for drug-smuggling operations across Gulf countries, has been arrested in Kuwait, according to Kuwaiti Al-Rai newspaper.
Hussein Zaiter is considered the most dangerous Lebanese national wanted for drug-smuggling operations in the region. He was arrested along with his son by Kuwaiti security forces, security sources have told the newspaper.
Zaiter has a 90-year prison sentence in Kuwait and is wanted by Interpol. Both he and his son are also wanted by the Lebanese authorities.
Hussein Zaiter is the nephew of Nouh Zaiter, a notorious drug lord who has been on the run from Lebanese authorities for years. Nouh Zaiter is reportedly wanted for around 4,000 charges.
In addition to running a large drug-trafficking network, Nouh Zaiter has clashed with the Lebanese Army on several occasions, getting wounded during a firefight in 2014.
In response to repeated drug-smuggling operations from Lebanon, Saudi Arabia recently banned the import of fruits and vegetables from the country.
These operations have further undermined the trust of Arab Gulf states in Lebanon, which is now facing an excess of produce in its local market with the start of harvest season for various agricultural products.
Saudi Arabia‘s move has raised concerns that neighboring countries might follow suit if the drug consignments continued to target them.
