Two suspects arrested as dawn raid nets 227 stolen phones in Nairobi

Some of the 277 phones recovered by police./HANDOUT

Police in Nairobi have arrested two suspects and recovered 227 stolen mobile phones and other electronics in a dawn operation in Dagoretti, in what authorities describe as one of the biggest recoveries in recent months.

The 4:30 a.m. raid was carried out by officers from Muthangari Police Station, led by the Station Commander and Dagoretti Sub-County team, following intelligence on a suspected phone theft network operating in the area.

The operation first led to the arrest of a 20-year-old suspect in Kawangware, who was accused of stealing a phone in the 46 area.

During interrogation, police said the suspect admitted to selling the device in Riruta and guided officers to the location. This led to the arrest of a second suspect, a 23-year-old, at his residence, where a search uncovered a large cache of suspected stolen items.

Police recovered 149 iPhones, 39 Samsung phones, 13 Redmi, 3 Oppo, 5 Vivo, 5 Tecno, 2 Nokia, 2 Infinix, 4 Itel, and single units of Google, Ultra 2, HMD, Nothing, Honor, and Huawei phones.

Sixteen dismantled phones were also found. Other items seized included eight laptops, four iPads, a 55-inch TCL television, an LG wireless soundbar, a 6kg gas cylinder, and 14 phone covers.

All the items were taken into custody as exhibits, and the suspects are expected to be charged in court. Police said the recovery highlights the scale of organised phone theft in Nairobi, noting that such crimes are often carried out by syndicates that resell stolen devices to unsuspecting buyers.

Residents have long complained about rising cases of phone snatching in estates, matatus, and busy streets, with the latest haul suggesting a wider network behind the crimes.

Authorities have urged the public to report stolen phones promptly and cautioned against buying second-hand devices from unverified sellers, warning that such purchases fuel the illegal trade.

The arrests mark a significant step in efforts to curb phone theft in the city, offering hope to victims who have lost their devices.