In a major crackdown on human trafficking, Kuwait’s General Department of Criminal Investigation has dismantled a notorious Asian-run network that operated a clandestine detention center in Fahaheel, widely referred to as the “Black Den of Fahaheel.” The operation led to the rescue of 19 female domestic workers and six men who had been held captive and subjected to forced labor under harsh and exploitative conditions. Six suspects—four women and two men of Asian nationality—were arrested as the ringleaders.
Investigators found that the traffickers had converted a residential property into a secret prison equipped with iron doors and constant surveillance. Victims, primarily runaway domestic workers, were lured with false promises of shelter and protection before being confined and deprived of communication with their families. Contact was only permitted under the direct watch of gang members, creating a facade of safety while hiding the criminal nature of the operation.
The gang enforced oppressive rules tied to the victims’ residency status and forced them into labor. In a particularly cruel tactic, the traffickers recorded videos of the detained women and used the footage to blackmail them into compliance, threatening to send the recordings to their families if they refused orders. One of the rescued women had been held against her will since 2014, highlighting the prolonged and severe nature of the exploitation.
All six suspects have been referred to the Public Prosecution for legal proceedings. The operation underscores Kuwait’s intensified efforts to combat human trafficking, protect vulnerable migrant workers, and dismantle organized crime networks that prey on expatriates. Authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to investigating such hideouts and ensuring justice for victims of modern-day slavery.
