Bahia police recover 500 stolen phones in Mobile 360° operation

Between September 15 and 18, the Bahia Civil Police conducted the ‘Mobile 360° Operation’ (Operação Mobile 360°), inspecting approximately 600 commercial establishments involved in the sale, resale, and maintenance of mobile phones and accessories. The operation resulted in the recovery of about 500 devices flagged for theft or robbery.

The initiative aims to combat the circulation of illicitly obtained mobile devices and the crime of receiving stolen goods. During the inspections, authorities verified the origin of devices and the legality of business activities to gather evidence for future investigations. In response to the police actions, some merchants reported adopting stricter procedures for purchasing used phones, such as requiring tax documentation and proof of origin.

Over the last 60 days, the Mobile 360° operation has recovered a total of 2,099 mobile phones. Of these, 559 have already been returned to their owners, while 1,540 devices are prepared for restitution during a scheduled ‘Dia D’ event, with 906 located in the capital and 634 in the state's interior.