NAIROBI, Kenya — Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested two suspects accused of running a black-market operation dealing in stolen mobile phones in the Githogoro area of Runda.
In a statement issued on Friday, March 13, the DCI said the suspects were apprehended during a late-night operation conducted on Thursday following intelligence reports about an illegal network trading stolen electronic devices.
“The late-night operation, conducted yesterday at around 2037hrs, followed credible and actionable intelligence received by detectives concerning a disreputable syndicate involved in receiving and trading stolen mobile devices.
“Acting swiftly on the information, detectives from the DCI Operations Action Team (OAT) in collaboration with officers from DCI Gigiri, and augmented by their counterparts from Runda Police Station, discreetly mobilized and set out to dismantle the illicit enterprise,” DCI stated.
According to investigators, officers targeted a shop operating under the name “E7 Cosmetics”, which authorities believe was being used as a front for the illegal trade.
Inside the premises, detectives found two men identified as Tobias Oduor and Nickson Indasia, who reportedly claimed to be the proprietors of the business.
A search of the premises uncovered what police described as a large cache of suspected stolen electronics.
The items recovered included:
- 65 operational mobile phones
- 7 laptops
- 52 dismantled mobile phones
“When confronted and interrogated about the recovered items, the suspects were unable to provide any credible or satisfactory explanation regarding the ownership or source of the electronics, further heightening suspicions that the premises served as a conduit for the disposal of stolen property,” DCI stated.
Investigators said one of the recovered devices was positively identified as a phone that had earlier been violently stolen from a victim at the Ruaka stage by unknown assailants.
The phone was reportedly being used by one of the suspects at the time of the raid and has since been identified by its rightful owner, a resident of Ruaka.
Authorities documented and secured all the recovered items as evidence while investigations continue into the suspected criminal network.
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The two suspects are currently in police custody and are expected to be arraigned in court to face charges.
The arrests come amid an ongoing crackdown by the National Police Service (NPS) on black-market phone trafficking networks in Nairobi.
In a separate incident weeks earlier, police officers arrested a suspect in Kawangware following an intelligence-led operation triggered by information from members of the public.
“During the operation, officers arrested a suspect found in possession of property believed to be stolen. The team recovered 36 assorted smartphones,” NPS stated.
Police say investigations are continuing as authorities attempt to dismantle organised networks believed to be involved in the theft and resale of mobile devices across the city.
