BUSIA, Kenya — Detectives in Busia have arrested two suspected gang members and recovered 180 National Identification Cards bearing different names during an operation targeting criminal networks in Teso South near the Uganda border.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the operation also led to the recovery of a tear-gas canister, metal bars suspected to have been used in housebreaking, military boots and five mobile phones.
The two suspects were arrested during a targeted operation before detectives searched one of their residences, where they discovered the large collection of identification documents.
The recovery has prompted investigators to establish how the IDs came into the suspects’ possession and whether they were being used, or intended to be used, in criminal activities.
“The extensive search revealed 180 National Identification Cards bearing different names, prompting investigators to probe how the vital documents came into the suspect’s possession and whether they were being used, or intended for use, in criminal activities,” the DCI said.
Detectives recover suspected burglary tools
Among the other items recovered were a heavy metal rod and eight metal bars believed to have been used to break into houses.
Detectives also seized two pairs of military boots and a tear-gas canister.
Five mobile phones were recovered during the operation and have been secured alongside the other items as exhibits as investigators build their case.
The DCI said the investigation is now focused not only on the two suspects but also on establishing whether they are part of a wider criminal network operating in the border region.
Probe widens over 180 identification cards
Investigators are expected to examine the recovered identification cards and establish their origins, the circumstances under which they were obtained and whether they were linked to any criminal activity.
The large number of cards bearing different names has also raised questions about possible misuse of identity documents.
However, investigators have not established publicly whether any of the IDs were fraudulently obtained or used to facilitate specific crimes.
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The two suspects remain in custody as detectives process the case ahead of their expected arraignment.
The DCI said officers are pursuing additional leads and working to identify other individuals who may have been involved in the suspected criminal activities.
Recovery follows earlier ID syndicate investigations
The latest recovery comes against the backdrop of previous DCI investigations into the illegal acquisition and issuance of government identification documents.
In a separate operation in December last year, detectives arrested 26 people suspected of being part of a network involved in the illegal processing and issuance of government documents.
The earlier investigation implicated civil servants, immigration clerks, local administrators, businessmen and middlemen who were allegedly helping applicants bypass official procedures to obtain documents, including National Identification Cards, passports, birth certificates and alien identification cards.
Detectives recovered filled and blank ID application forms, fingerprint-taking equipment, birth and death certificates, passports, government stamps and other registration materials from private premises during that operation.
The Busia investigation is expected to establish whether the 180 IDs recovered in Teso South are connected to a similar document-related network or another criminal operation.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the identities of the two suspects or indicated whether any of the recovered identification cards have been linked to specific offences.
The investigation remains ongoing.
