Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have apprehended a suspect believed to be the key orchestrator behind a spate of mobile phone thefts in Nairobi.

The operation culminated in the recovery of hundreds of stolen mobile phones, shedding light on a pervasive criminal network.

“Detectives have arrested a man suspected to be the mastermind behind the theft of mobile phones in the city and recovered hundreds of stolen phones,” the DCI said in a statement.

In a statement, the DCI revealed that their operation had established that Jeremiah Mbugua, the prime suspect in the case, operates a second-hand mobile phone shop located at California House along Gaborone Street in the city.

Following a meticulously executed raid, the authorities apprehended Mbugua and subsequently discovered a cache of stolen phones hidden within his premises.

 “The suspect Jeremiah Mbugua, who operates a second-hand mobile phone shop at California house along Gaborone Street, was arrested following a raid at his shop where the stolen phones were found,” the DCI added.

In addition to the stolen mobile phones, the investigators unearthed a range of tools and equipment commonly associated with mobile phone theft and data manipulation.

 Among the confiscated items were a software installation device, external storage devices, and universal flushing device interface gadgets.

“Also recovered were a software installation device, external storage devices, and universal flushing device interface gadgets popularly known as ndongois,” the statement adds.

The arrest of Mbugua and the recovery of the stolen phones represent a significant blow to organized crime in the city, particularly in the realm of mobile phone theft and subsequent resale.

The recovered evidence will undoubtedly aid ongoing investigations into the extent of the criminal operation and its potential ties to broader criminal networks.

At present, Jeremiah Mbugua remains in custody, where he is cooperating with investigators as they seek to unravel the intricate web of criminal activities surrounding stolen mobile phones in the city.