Police in Garissa arrested two suspected handlers of stolen mobile phones following an intelligence-led operation that led to the recovery of more than 100 phones, laptops and phone accessories.
The raid was conducted on Sunday at a phone repair shop along Mums Street in Madogo Township.
According to police, officers recovered 105 assorted used mobile phones, two laptops and various mobile phone accessories from the premises.
Investigators said two of the recovered phones had been reported stolen during a robbery in the Bulla Sagare area on July 9.
The remaining phones are suspected to have been stolen from members of the public in Garissa Town and its surrounding areas.
Police also suspect the two laptops were being used to flash or reprogram stolen mobile phones to conceal their identities and facilitate their resale.
The suspects were taken into custody and an inventory of the recovered items was prepared.
Police said they will seek custodial orders at the Garissa Law Courts on Monday to allow more time for investigations, including tracing and identifying owners of the recovered phones, conducting identification parades, recovering additional exhibits and pursuing other suspects believed to be linked to the suspected theft syndicate.
Most of the stolen gadgets are refurbished and sent to neighbouring countries where they are sold to unsuspecting buyers.
Police have been mounting operations to address the menace which has led to the arrest of dozens of suspects. Last week, a similar operation in Kosovo area, Mathare slums led to the recovery of 65 mobile phones which had been stolen from the owners.
Police have advised Kenyan not to buy such gadgets without official receipts or known seller.
The operations are ongoing in different urban areas.
