Third American arrested for Drugs

US citizen caught with drugs, liquor, gun, ammo

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 23: After taking into custody two US citizens a few days ago – one in Mangaf and the other in Jabriya – for allegedly trafficking in drugs, personnel from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) have arrested one more US citizen from Mangaf, reports Al-Anba daily.

The daily added, CID men have seized from him 13 kilos of marijuana, 11 bottles of imported wine and alcohol, a sensitive scale, a Glock pistol and 42 rounds and three magazines of ammunition. Earlier the two Americans had admitted to smuggling the drugs through the US Army air cargo. The daily, the third suspect, believed to be 42 years old and identified only as C.D.F., used the same modus operandi.

Acting on information and after taking all necessary legal measures, the CID men raided the home of the American in Mangaf and seized the contraband. During interrogation the man admitted to trafficking and also said his US citizenship will provide him cover from the Kuwaiti security authorities. The Assistant Undersecretary for Criminal Security Affairs at the Ministry of Interior has ordered the man to be referred to the Public Prosecution.

Number three! How many more are hiding out there? Thanks for giving us a bad name.

September events at Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Cultural Center

A few September events coming up soon.

Theatre by Rhodes, VOX cinema, The Avenues

We were invited to the opening of the new luxury movie experience from VOX cinema in The Avenues.

"Movie fans will be able to enjoy what has been dubbed the 'pinnacle of luxury cinema' as they watch their favorite movie blockbusters on screen and enjoy an extensive menu exclusively created for VOX by British Michelin-starred celebrity Chef Gary Rhodes and his team with sweet and savoury dishes like the Lobster and Chicken Ceasar Tacos, 'Rhodes' Foie Gras Panini, Mini 'New York' Deli Beef Burgers, Date and Banana French Toast Fingers and Chocolate Chip Pancakes.  Fitted with lavish interior design and furnishings in the exclusive lounge, interactive cinema seating and table service, THEATRE by Rhodes offers the perfect escape for movie fans who appreciate the finer things in life."

 The initial seating area is decorated with soft hues of grey and blue with dark brown accents.

 Steak bites that tasted amazing

 Mushrooms

 Peach and classic mojitos

Chef Rhodes and the team from Ogilvy

 The luxury seats that recline come with blankets and pillows

 Our meal during the movie

And dessert to top it off

The concept of this came from UAE where Chef Rhodes now lives and manages his popular restaurants. You can find more information about the idea here. The price of this luxury dining experience is 20KD which includes ticket, food, drink and tea/coffee, for more information on booking click the link.

Cultural differences discussion from TIES

Something to do for those who wonder about the differences that aren't obvious.

Damage to the Museums

Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Center

This is why we can't have nice things in Kuwait. Here is picture of one of the displays that have had some items stolen/broke off of the display. This was one of many in the museum that had damage.

 It's a shame that there has to be security guards at around every corner because people don't act like humans.

Another American drug dealer Arrested

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 8: A few hours following the arrest of a US citizen in Mangaf for distributing drugs of all kinds to students of foreign schools and universities and to Europeans and Asians, personnel from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) are said to have arrested another US citizen identified only as R.D., reports Al-Anba daily.

The suspect, who is believed to be 41 years old, was arrested at an unidentified location and police are said to have seized from him seven kilos of marijuana, five grams of cocaine, a pistol, 24 rounds of ammunition and KD 14,000 cash believed to proceeds from five kilos of drugs.

The five kilos is believed to be part of 12 kilos of marijuana which he admitted to smuggling into the country. According to a security source the suspect was arrested by the CID men following a tip-off from an unidentified source that the man was in touch with suspicious people and kept in touch with persons with criminal record. Police also learned that the suspect met his contacts in public places to evade suspicion and even the WhatsApp application to converse with his contacts.


The source added acting on this information the suspect was put under close surveillance for some time and investigations revealed the American was trafficking in drugs and was operating from his apartment. Acting on this information and armed with a search and arrest warrant issued by the Public Prosecution, securitymen raided the apartment and seized drugs and money. The suspect, during intensive interrogations which lasted for several hours, is said to have confessed that he brought drugs into the country through the US Army air cargo. The suspect, like the other suspect who is in police custody, has contracts with the US Army in Kuwait.

Another URS employee? I hope they hang them, as an American I don't think those guys should be shown any mercy and let them be an example to all western expats. Not only are they drug dealers but they are going to get the APO privileges taken away from contractors because of their actions.

Maidan Clinic Fahaheel- BEWARE!

I've been trying to find a good dentist for my kids, I tried Shine dental clinic in Mahboula for my daughter, the dentist gave her a root canal and her tooth turned black, the dentist told me it was normal, later on it had to be pulled. I tried Bayan Dental for my older daughter and they made a mistake with her tooth as well. I decided to try Maidan Clinic as I had a good experience with their travel clinic in Jabriya once. I went to the Fahaheel location which is close to my house.

As first glance it looked alright but when I got into the room it was a bit out dated and the equipment looked rather old. I waited more than 15 minutes for the doctor to come and my son was the only patient in the place. Finally the doctor arrived along with a teenage girl which I thought worked there until she called the doctor mom, the doctor brought her daughter with her to work and she stood there beside her mother through the whole procedure which I found a bit weird and distracting for the doctor.

My son had been to another clinic with his father so I had an idea that the problem was two cavities. According to this doctor it was a huge deal with the pulp and needed a pulp cleaning which was 70 KD along with a filling for 50 KD so in total I need to spend 240 KD for the procedures on my son's baby teeth. My gut feeling told me to walk away but I was concerned for my son so I told her to go ahead with one tooth. I still wasn't comfortable and told her I didn't want to continue and to put a temporary filling. I paid 97 KD for the procedure plus visit and x-ray.

The doctor couldn't understand English, even the word water had her baffled and her bringing her child into the room as she worked on my son left me a little concerned about how they work. I took my son to the government clinic today to get a second opinion. The dentist saw the work and took x-rays, after viewing the x-rays he told me the other doctor had gone in too far with his tooth and that she shouldn't have gone in so deep.

I asked if she did a wrong procedure and he said no, but she over did it. I asked him if he would have done the same and he replied no. So, she should have only cleaned the cavity and filled it instead of taking out everything inside. Now my son will have to have a crown on his tooth and the doctor told me it won't last the next four years because of the work she did. He told me not to go to private clinics because they aren't trained very well.

Thanks a lot Maidan Clinic! I will be calling management soon!

American drug dealer Arrested

 US drug trafficker seized – KD 1 mln worth of drugs found

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 6: Personnel from the Criminal Investigations Department have made a major breakthrough by arresting one of the most dangerous drug dealers who has been ‘distributing’ drugs of all kinds to students of foreign schools and universities and to Europeans and Asians, reports Al-Anba daily.

The suspect is identified as US citizen ‘Eric B’ a.k.a. ‘The Emperor’, believed to be one of the contractors working for the US Army. At the time of arrest he was in possession of drugs with a market value of one million Kuwaiti dinars, in addition to an undisclosed amount in foreign currency, gold chains and expensive watches.

During interrogation he said the watches and chains were pawned by students (most of whom live in the Tenth Area) who could not pay cash for the drugs.

The suspect during intensive interrogation which lasted for several hours is said to have confessed that he brought drugs into the country through the US Army air cargo.

A security source said this method of smuggling is mind blowing and will be a subject of discussion with the US security side to close the US loophole exploited by the accused. A security source said a number of drug abusers who have been arrested have given the name of the person as a source of purchasing drugs. The source added CID men exerted tremendous efforts until they identified the suspect who is believed to be born in 1970 and lives in Mangaf.

The source said, police acting on information set a trap for the American and caught him red-handed while selling drugs to a police agent who used marked police currency to use it as evidence in the court of law.

CID men armed with a search warrant issued by the Public Prosecution then raided the man’s apartment and seized 6 kilos of marijuana, 250 grams of cocaine, 2 sensitive scales, KD 40,000, 47,000 Philippine pesos, eight bottles of alcohol, jewelry and expensive watches.

Asked if the US Embassy in Kuwait has been notified of the arrest of one of its citizens, the source said: “This does not fall within the jurisdiction of the Interior but a report will be submitted to the Foreign Ministry on the arrest of the American and the seizure of the contraband.”

--I bet he was working for URS!

Blaze Pizza- Ahmadi

I usually stick to the basic pizza places, Pizza Hut and Dominos but I'm glad I tried the pizza from Blaze in Ahmadi food court. You start off by choosing the type of pizza you want then you move to the next station and add all the goodies you want, then off to the oven.

When the process is finished you receive a hot, thin crust pizza that tasted awesome, I highly recommend. The price was 2.950 KD and you can find more info on their IG @blazepizzame

Insane supply list for nursery Teachers

I've seen a lot of teacher supply lists in my time but this one beats them all. This is a supply list for teachers at a nursery school which I will not name out of respect for the person who shared this with me. First of all, nursery schools don't pay a lot and second of all who can afford to supply all of these items? Printer and ink? We all know that printers are reasonably cheap but the ink cartridges are like 10 KD each, not to mention having to provide a lamination machine and paper!

Personally I would have laughed in their face if they gave me a ridiculous list like this. These days good teachers are hard to find and Kuwaiti schools don't have the best reputations any more as most of them hire teachers without giving them a residency/housing or transportation while the make tons of money from families. Maybe the teachers should offer picking up the kids from their houses as well.

I will stick to administration!

Welcome to Kuwait- from AWARE Center

Here's something fun for those new to Kuwait. For those who already know about Kuwait please be note their new location, which I need to visit now that it's closer to my house.

VILLA 23,  STREET 101, BLOCK 1, Abu Fatira, KUWAIT

Tel: 2205 2751 / 22052752 

mobile : 65523746

E-mail : info@aware.com.kw   

Sunday through Thursday 

Mornings: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Evenings: 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

The Center remains closed on Friday & Saturday

Shinsawi Activity Group

Looking for something to do? We've got you covered. No more wasted weekends and mundane routines, with us you wont have to ask "shinsawi?"

Shinsawi is a local concept, hosting regular events, activities and get togethers.

This Friday September the 7th we will be having a volleyball game at 5:45 pm. Players who are interested in joining will be able to sign up through the website below.

www.shinsawi.com and IG @shinsawi

Kenny Rogers Roasters Kuwait

Looks like Kenny Rogers Roasters is back from the dead and located in Souq Salmiya, you can check out my post about visiting the old abandoned location which closed in 96. The last time I ate at his restaurant was back in the late 90's in Corona, California.

Kuwait School Fees 2018

It's that time of year once again where you can see the outrageous school fees across the country, surprisingly, most school tuition has remained the same this year, except for the first two schools listed below. They seem to be the only ones from last year, although both schools have added grade 12. You can see the fees from last year here

 First up for increase is the most expensive school in Kuwait, American United School, they have split the high school years to 9-10 and 11-12. (7500 KD is almost $25,000.00 for high school per year)

American United School

Next up is International British School which added grade 12 

 International British School

I'm adding a few new schools to the list this year, the schools have their fees online which makes it much easier when trying to find an affordable school, I think all schools should have their fees online so they don't waste our time having to go to the school and find out.

Cambridge English School- Mangaf

 The English Playgroup

 Kuwait American School

American School of Ahmadi

Transportation fees range anywhere between 250 to 500 KD, not to mention some schools assessment fees, you pay for someone to question your child but it doesn't guarantee them admission. Some schools have a certain profile of kids they want and will not allow your child admission if they are deemed trouble makers and it's highly doubtful your kid will get a Harvard type education from these private schools, more than likely you will be told your child needs a tutor in which teachers make additional money on the side. It's all a monopoly.

Life in Kuwait!