Some of the recovered phones /DCI XTwo people have been arrested in Kisii after detectives uncovered a suspected operation involving the unlawful unlocking and resale of financed mobile phones.
Directorate of Criminal Investigations Kisii Central, working with investigators from a mobile financing company, raided a phone repair shop in Kisii town and arrested the two suspects.
More than 500 assorted mobile phones and motherboards were recovered during the operation, according to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
Among the recovered devices were several financed handsets that had earlier been reported missing.
Detectives said some of the devices had been stripped of their security locks and were allegedly being prepared for resale.
The suspects are being held as investigators complete the inquiry before they are arraigned in court.
"The two suspects are in custody undergoing processing as detectives finalise the investigation ahead of their arraignment," DCI stated.
The operation is part of efforts by law enforcement agencies and private-sector partners to disrupt the theft, unlawful unlocking and resale of mobile phones, particularly devices acquired through financing arrangements.
Investigators are expected to establish the origin of the recovered devices and determine whether they are connected to reported cases of theft.
The crackdown comes amid continued police operations targeting the trade in suspected stolen electronic devices across the country.
On August 24, police arrested two people and recovered 10 functional mobile phones, three laptops and 18 non-functional assorted mobile phones during an operation targeting suspected trade in illicitly acquired property in Kayole, Nairobi County.
According to the DCI, officers from Soweto Police Station recovered the devices during the operation. The suspects were taken into custody pending processing and arraignment, while the recovered electronics were secured as exhibits as investigators worked to establish their origin.
A similar operation was conducted on July 31, when officers from Shauri Moyo Police Station arrested two people during patrols along Digo Road and recovered five mobile phones suspected to have been stolen.
The National Police Service said the arrests followed sustained patrols aimed at curbing phone theft and other offences around Gikomba and Digo Road.
Police said the recovered phones were being examined to establish their owners and determine whether the suspects could be linked to other reported incidents. Three people had identified their phones among the recovered devices at the time.
The July operation was followed by another crackdown in Nairobi, where four people were arrested in two separate operations targeting mobile phone snatching and the suspected illicit trade in electronic gadgets.
In one of the operations, officers from Muthangari Police Station acted on intelligence and arrested two suspects in Kawangware. The recovered handsets were secured as exhibits as investigations continued.
The DCI has urged members of the public to report criminal or suspicious activity to the nearest police station or through the emergency numbers 999 and 911.
The agency also provided its toll-free reporting line, 0800 722 203, and WhatsApp number 0709 570 000 for anonymous reports.
