Police in Nairobi have arrested three individuals and recovered dozens of stolen mobile phones and other electronic devices during a targeted operation in the Central Business District (CBD).
The operation, which was carried out along Tsavo Street on Friday, June 13, 2025, followed intelligence reports indicating the presence of a mobile phone theft and flashing syndicate operating in the area. Officers from the Nairobi Area coordinated the raid, resulting in the arrest of three suspects found in possession of a significant quantity of stolen electronics.
During the raid, law enforcement officers recovered 75 mobile phones, seven computers, one microscope, and 20 Universal Flashing Interface (UFI) gadgets. These tools are commonly used to erase and reprogram stolen devices, allowing them to be sold as legitimate second-hand items. The recovered devices are believed to have been prepared for resale through unauthorized and illegal channels.
Authorities explained that criminal groups often use such tools to disguise the identity of stolen phones, making it difficult for victims or law enforcement to trace them. This sophisticated method of tampering not only impedes recovery efforts but also poses a risk to unsuspecting buyers who may unknowingly purchase stolen property.
The three suspects are currently in police custody as investigations continue. Authorities are building a case against the individuals and plan to present them in court in the coming days. Their identities have not been disclosed as investigations are still ongoing, including efforts to confirm their connections to larger criminal networks.
In the meantime, police are working to match the recovered phones with theft reports filed across different police stations in Nairobi. Forensic analysis is also being conducted on the computers and microscope, which are suspected to have been used to alter or dismantle phone components in order to obscure their original identities.
Following the operation, police issued a public warning against the purchase of mobile phones and electronic devices from unauthorized vendors or street sellers. They emphasized that buying devices from questionable sources could make members of the public complicit in criminal activities, whether knowingly or unknowingly.
The police urged consumers to be cautious and only purchase electronics from reputable and licensed dealers. This, they said, not only helps in fighting the illegal trade of stolen goods but also protects buyers from potential legal consequences.
As investigations progress, authorities have committed to pursuing any individuals or networks linked to the stolen electronics trade, emphasizing that dismantling such syndicates remains a key priority for law enforcement in the city.
