A GANG suspected of smuggling 40,000 stolen phones to China has been smashed by cops.
They are believed to have exported up to 40 per cent of all mobiles stolen in London over the past year.
A gang suspected of smuggling 40,000 stolen phones to China has been smashed by cops
The gang is believed to have exported up to 40 per cent of all mobiles stolen in London over the past year
Police launched a major investigation after around 1,000 phones labelled as batteries were found at a Heathrow warehouse last December.
The handsets were awaiting shipment to Hong Kong.
Two Afghan nationals were identified as suspected “Mr Bigs” behind the smuggling gang.
Both men — in their 30s — were arrested, along with four other suspects, during a two-week blitz by the Met that coincided with Apple’s recent release of its new iPhone 17.
A further 15 suspects accused of carrying out phone robberies and handling stolen handsets were arrested and thousands of devices were seized.
Commander Andrew Featherstone, the Met’s lead for tackling phone theft, said: “This is the largest crackdown on mobile phone theft in the UK.
“We’ve dismantled criminal networks at every level, from street thieves to organised crime groups exporting tens of thousands of stolen devices a year.”
Detective Inspector Mark Gavin, who oversaw the operation to smash the gang, said: “Behind every one of those phones is a victim.
“This group specifically targeted Apple products because of their profitability overseas.”
Apple handsets can fetch up to $5,000 (£3,700) each in China.
Two Afghan nationals were arrested Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
