Security agencies in Mombasa have arrested 119 suspects in a crackdown targeting criminal gangs in the area.
County police commander Johnston Ipara who confirmed the arrest said the gang members were arrested after police carried out a swoop in Likoni sub county on Thursday morning.
Speaking in Mombasa town, Mr Ipara said the crackdown was carried out in Mtongwe, Bububu, Shika Adabu, Timbwani, Approved, Shonda, and Barabara ya Mchanga.
Mr Ipara said the criminal gangs are carrying out crimes in the county and harassing the residents adding that the crackdown was carried out in an effort to rid Mombasa of criminal gangs.
The county police commander led the regular and Administration Police officers in conducting the operation.
He said the suspects were found in possession of illicit brew, drugs and dangerous weapons.
“We managed to arrest 119 suspects during the operation. They will be interrogated before they are charged in court for various offences.”
“This particular operation will continue until we hear from the people we serve that they are satisfied with the security condition in Mombasa,” said Mr Ipara as quoted by Daily Nation.
“Some of these suspects were involved in serious offences. Based on the history from our crime-desk and evidence from the members of the public,” he added.
The county police commander urged members of the public to work closely with the police in order to arrest members of the criminal gangs.
The arrest comes barely a week after police killed at least 12 suspected criminal gang members in Mombasa.