Security agencies in the Wamala Region have intensified efforts to curb rising petty crime in Kiboga Town Council following a successful intelligence-led operation that dismantled a notorious criminal group known as the “Scorpions.”
According to the Wamala Region Police Spokesperson, Lameck Kigozi, the joint operation involved police and other security agencies working together to track down members of the gang, which has been linked to a series of theft incidents in the area.
“This was an intelligence-led operation targeting a criminal group code-named ‘Scorpions,’ which has been terrorising residents through phone snatching, bag theft, and other petty crimes within Kiboga Town,” Kigozi said.
During the operation, 14 suspects were arrested, including 13 adult males and one female juvenile. Preliminary findings indicate that the group had developed a sophisticated method of tampering with stolen mobile phones to evade detection.
“The suspects confessed to altering IMEI numbers of the stolen phones before selling them to local dealers, making it difficult to trace the devices,” Kigozi explained.
Following leads obtained from the suspects, security teams arrested two phone dealers believed to have been purchasing the stolen gadgets, bringing the total number of people in custody to 16.
Police said investigations are ongoing to establish the full network of the gang, recover more stolen property, and identify additional accomplices.
The operation marks a significant step in restoring security in Kiboga Town, with authorities reaffirming their commitment to cracking down on criminal networks and protecting residents from theft-related crimes.
“We shall continue pursuing all individuals involved in such illegal activities to ensure that communities remain safe,” Kigozi added.
