DCI recover 200 suspected stolen mobile phones in Nairobi’s Kasarani raid

Detectives in Kasarani recovered 200 mobile phones suspected to have been stolen during an intelligence-led operation in Nairobi’s Viken Thirty Village.

According to police, officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Kasarani acted on intelligence on Wednesday afternoon and raided an abandoned iron-sheet structure believed to have been used as a storage site for the devices.

During the operation, detectives recovered 200 mobile phones, comprising 120 intact handsets and 80 dismantled phones.

Scene of Crime personnel processed the location and documented the recovery before the devices were taken into police custody as exhibits for further investigations.

No suspects were arrested during the operation, and detectives have launched a manhunt for those behind the suspected theft and concealment of the phones.

Police said investigations are ongoing to establish the ownership of the recovered devices and to dismantle the criminal network involved.

This is the latest such recovery amid ongoing operations to address gangs behind robberies targeting mobile phones. Teams have seized hundreds of the gadgets in the operations in major urban areas.

Police say some of the stolen mobile phones are refurbished and resold to unsuspecting buyers.

Most of the gadgets are subject to investigations and police discourage buying of such items.

The police also want victims of the robberies to always report for further action.

This is after it emerged some of the gadgets are later used to commit crimes.

Police said some of the suspects are facing charges in courts.

Last week, a police raid in Kosovo, Mathare slums recovered 65 mobile phones, some of which had been stolen from various parts. Five suspects were arrested in the operation.