250 arrested as detectives intensify Panga Boys gang crackdown in Mombasa and kwale
Coast Regional Commander Ali Nunow said the suspects are being processed for legal action
Another 250 members of the armed Panga Boys gang have been arrested in Mombasa.
This is in addition to nine who were arrested overnight in an intelligence crackdown by a multi-agency team.
The arrest of the nine was confirmed by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
During a media briefing on the ongoing operations against the gang, Coast Regional Commander Ali Nunow said the suspects are being processed for legal action.
The multi-agency team recovered 11 pangas, five slashers, a hacksaw, knives, 26 sachets of cannabis sativa (50 grammes each), five mobile phones, a pair of scissors, a toy gun, a motorcycle and assorted hats/caps and bandanas suspected to be used for facial concealment.
Earlier this week, 51 members of the gang were also arrested in Kisauni, after an operation was conducted across Junda, Bilima, Barisheba, Sunlight, Mwandoni, Cobra, Kadongo Grounds, Mwakirunge, and Vikwatan.
During the said operation, the sleuths recovered five tuk-tuks believed to be used in phone snatching crimes.
This is even as at least 120 suspects linked to the machete-wielding criminal gang were arrested in Kwale County last week.
The arrest followed an incident where a gang attacked and robbed locals in Diani.
Court documents indicate that 63 suspects have already been taken to court, while police have requested 14 more days to hold 33 others under a miscellaneous application to allow for further investigations.
The arrests were carried out in a continued effort to curb criminal gangs in the coastal region.
The recent crop-up of these gangs has been on the limelight for terrorizing both residents and business owners in the tourism-rich region has led to several organizations raising the alarm over the matter.
The most disturbing incident is when the gang attacked and snatch a phone from a tourist along Moi Avenue in Mombasa County at pembe ya Ndovu area.
The tourist was injured during the robbery with violence incident.
