On Tuesday, March 5, detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) announced the seizure of hundreds of suspected stolen electronic devices, including mobile phones, laptops, and tablets.
In the ongoing crackdown targeting mobile phone repair stalls, 19 suspects were arrested in different locations within Nairobi city.
According to detectives, the operation was prompted by a surge in the theft of electronic devices.
The first raid was conducted in the Kamulu and Ruai areas, where 182 mobile phones, a laptop, an iPad, and two heating machines were recovered.
"Detectives stormed Free Mack Electronic Shop and Kamale Mobile Repair in Ruai, and Friends Communication Shop in Kamulu. In the operation, five suspects were arrested," detectives noted.
The DCI officers then proceeded to the Kamukunji area, where 19 mobile phones were recovered from two shops. They subsequently moved to the Cianda market shop, where another 10 mobile phones were confiscated.
During the raids at Kamukunji and Cianda market, three suspects were arrested.
While conducting a raid at Lang'ata's Mobihub Planet-BIHI Towers, two suspects were arrested with 34 suspected stolen phones.
In the operation, 8 laptops were seized at Skydeck Technologies shop by DCI Central detectives, who arrested two suspects.
Four other suspects were arrested in Kasarani's Githurai 44 area in a similar operation and several electronic gadgets were recovered.
On the same day, five robbers were arrested on allegations of mugging a resident of the Matopeni area at the Mukuru kwa Njenga - Reli section.
According to the detectives, the robbers allegedly made off with the victim's jacket and a phone valued at Ksh20,000.
"The DCI Nairobi Region Coordinator has warned phone thieves posing as phone dealers and phone repairers that detectives are hot on their trail," DCI detectives stated.
Detectives further cautioned genuine vendors to exercise caution when handling second-hand electronics, as they may unwittingly become implicated in illicit activities.
