Police have raided a stall at Platinum Plaza along Tom Mboya Street, where they arrested a suspect believed to be involved in receiving and “flashing” stolen mobile phones.
A search of the stall uncovered 38 assorted mobile phones, three laptops and one desktop computer, as detectives moved to establish how the electronics came into the suspect’s possession.
The operation was part of a wider intelligence-led crackdown targeting networks suspected of receiving, concealing and redistributing stolen property within the capital.
Police later intercepted two other suspects at the Imenti House car park, where they were found inside a motor vehicle.
A collection of Universal Flashing Interface gadgets recovered by the National Police Service from a Nairobi-based phone theft syndicate on Friday, June 13, 2025.
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National Police Service
A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of two Lenovo monitors, central processing units, keyboards, cables and other computer accessories.
The equipment bore labels identifying them as property of a government institution, raising questions over how it ended up in the vehicle.
Police detained the motor vehicle at the station as investigations continued, while the suspects remained in custody pending arraignment.
Detectives are now working to establish whether the recovered electronics are linked to reported theft cases and whether the suspects are connected to a wider criminal network.
The operation also highlights police efforts to target the market that enables stolen property to be disposed of after theft.
The crackdown comes amid concerns over cases of mobile phones and other electronics being stolen from members of the public before allegedly finding their way into businesses where they are sold or modified for resale.
Investigators are pursuing additional leads to identify other people who may be involved in receiving or distributing stolen goods, as police seek to disrupt the networks that provide a market for stolen electronics.
Police have urged members of the public to remain vigilant when purchasing electronics and to verify the ownership and source of second-hand devices. The suspects are expected to be taken to court as detectives continue investigations into the recovered property and the suspected network.
An aerial view of the Nairobi CBD
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millerpd
