Police warn the public after arresting 7 during raid in which 151 smartphones and laptops were recovered

Police in Nairobi conducted a raid in which seven suspects were arrested and 151 smartphones believed to have been stolen from city residents were recovered.

Also recovered during the raid along Mfangano Street aimed at curbing theft of electronic goods were two laptops.

Following the raid, police have also appealed to people who may have been robbed or had their mobile phones stolen to visit Central Police Station to help in identifying the gadgets.

Police believe that the seven are handling stolen goods which are usually resold to unsuspecting buyers.

They are currently in lawful police custody and will be arraigned in court tomorrow (Monday).

Police sources reveal that they are handling several cases involving handling of stolen property within the city in the wake of a sustained security operation to curb crime.

Standard quoted Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) George Kinoti confirming that "Some are facing murder and robbery charges".

He further cautioned the public to only make purchases from dealers with fixed business premises and who have the necessary authorization documents to avoid being caught up in the mix.

“It is risky and dangerous to buy any electronic device from suspicious outlets. Most are those who buy stolen items from armed gangsters who have violently robbed innocent citizens and in the process kill and maim them,” said Kinoti.

He warned that some unregistered dealers trade in stolen goods some of which have been robbed from murdered victims, adding that anyone found to have purchased stolen electronic gadgets risks prosecution in accordance with the law.