A major bust in London has uncovered a massive operation. Police stopped a ring smuggling stolen mobile phones to China. Officers seized 40,000 phones. This action marks the largest crackdown on phone theft in UK history.
London’s Metropolitan Police launched a huge operation. They targeted a network moving stolen phones from Britain. These devices were headed for sale in China. Forty-six suspects have been arrested. This includes people tied to a recent robbery of a truck carrying new iPhone 17 models.
The operation, called “Operation Echosteep,” started in December 2024. Officials first found over 1,000 iPhones in boxes. They were abandoned near Heathrow Airport. Investigations showed most phones had been stolen from people in London. Their final stops were Hong Kong and mainland China.
Eleven of the arrested suspects were caught in the act. They were trying to rob a delivery truck. This truck was full of the very latest iPhone 17 phones. This shows how street-level crime connects to bigger networks.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan praised the police. He called it an unprecedented success. The operation targeted both the big bosses of the smuggling rings. It also went after the street thieves. These thieves often snatch phones from tourists and locals.
Over 80,000 mobile phones were stolen in London during 2024 alone. This data comes from the Metropolitan Police. Popular spots like Oxford Circus, Soho, and Covent Garden are hot zones for phone snatches. These busy areas make easy targets for thieves.
Police sources describe a highly organized network. It starts with local thieves stealing phones. Then, these devices move to collectors. Finally, they are shipped out of the country. These phones are often wiped clean. They are then resold on black markets in Asia.
This case shows how much tech crime has grown worldwide. New smartphones, like the iPhone 17, are always in high demand. This makes them valuable targets for criminals. The global market for stolen goods fuels this type of crime.
London police promise to increase patrols. They will focus on tourist areas and public transport hubs. They are also working with international police groups. The goal is to shut down routes used to smuggle stolen phones abroad.
Source: channelnewsasia