Sick drug smugglers have been caught putting huge packets of drugs inside live sheep in a bid to move them across the border.

The shocking scam involving innocent animals was discovered by the Kuwaiti authorities after they seized nearly 40 lbs of drugs hidden inside the stomachs of live sheep.

The amphetamines were being smuggled into the small Middle Eastern country from a neighbouring state.

Drug trafficking and consumption in the Middle East has reportedly been on the increase for the last decade, particularly with regards to the synthetic amphetamine Captagon, considered highly addictive.

Sheikh Thamer Al Sabah, Kuwaiti Minister of Interior, was present when 17 kilogrammes (37.5 lbs) were found by officials inspecting a herd of imported sheep, according to Gulf News.

The Kuwaiti news agency Kuna reported: “Seventeen kilograms of amphetamine were found hidden in the guts of imported sheep and were seized by officials in the presence of the Minister of Interior Sheikh Thamer Al Sabah in the area of Kabd.”

The authorities added that the synthetic amphetamine came from a neighbouring state but did not mention which.

The suspects have reportedly been “referred to the relevant authorities” to face punishment for allegedly smuggling drugs into the country.

The authorities did not mention how many suspects were placed under arrest.

The Sheikh expressed his “pride and appreciation” at the drug bust and the officials involved.

Gulf News said Captagon is one of the most consumed drugs in the Middle East and millions of tablets are seized by customs workers every month.

Captagon was first manufactured as an alternative to methamphetamine in the 1960s, but was banned in many countries in the 1980s, as it was considered highly addictive.

Commercial production of the brand stopped, but counterfeit pills are still manufactured and sold to drugs gangs as Captagon.

In October, the Kuwaiti authorities seized four kilogrammes of narcotics hidden in a furniture container on a ship that arrived from Iran.