Kampala, Uganda: Kampala Metropolitan Police have recovered 143 suspected stolen smartphones, the majority of them iPhones, following an intelligence-led operation that also led to the arrest of three suspects believed to be part of an organised mobile phone theft and trafficking syndicate operating across East Africa.
The suspects have been identified as Tumusiime Derrick, also known as Gana, Niyonzima Fabrice, also known as Sadat, and Kitoko Emmy.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Spokesperson, ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, the trio allegedly belong to a criminal network involved in receiving suspected stolen mobile phones, tampering with their motherboards and other identifying components before trafficking and selling them in neighbouring countries.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects are part of a criminal group involved in receiving suspected stolen mobile phones, altering their motherboards and other identifying components to conceal their origin, before trafficking and selling them in neighbouring countries, particularly the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda,” Owoyesigyire said.
He added that police have so far identified the rightful owners of 20 of the recovered phones, with the victims providing police reference numbers matching previously reported theft cases.
“These victims have provided police with details of the cases they previously reported, including their respective police reference numbers, confirming that the recovered devices had been stolen,” the police spokesperson added.
Investigators are now working to identify additional owners, recover more exhibits and track down other members of the suspected criminal enterprise.
Kampala Metropolitan Police has appealed to members of the public who previously lost iPhones and reported the theft to come forward with proof of ownership and the relevant police reference numbers to facilitate verification and possible recovery of their devices.
“Members of the public who may have lost an iPhone and reported the theft to police should contact officers at the Crime Intelligence Directorate with proof of ownership and the relevant police case reference number to facilitate verification and possible recovery of their devices,” Owoyesigyire said.
The three suspects remain in police custody and are expected to be arraigned before court upon completion of investigations to face charges related to mobile phone theft, handling suspected stolen property, and participation in an organised criminal enterprise.
The latest operation forms part of the Uganda Police Force’s ongoing campaign against organised criminal networks involved in mobile phone theft, electronic fraud and cross-border trafficking of stolen devices, crimes that have increasingly targeted smartphone users in Kampala and other urban centres.
Police have urged the public to continue reporting phone thefts promptly and to retain purchase receipts, IMEI numbers and police reference documents, which are crucial in helping investigators trace and recover stolen devices.
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