London police have broken up a criminal group suspected of smuggling up to 40,000 stolen mobile phones to China, in what police describe as the UK’s largest anti-phone theft operation to date. 46 people were arrested in the previous two weeks as part of the probe, which police believe might account for about 40% of all phone theft in London.
The investigation began last year, when detectives uncovered a shipment containing approximately 1,000 iPhones at a facility near Heathrow Airport headed for Hong Kong. This initial seizure prompted investigators to uncover a massive network of thieves, middlemen, and international exporters.
Apple Phones as a Lucrative Target
According to police, the gang intentionally targeted Apple gadgets because of their high international resale value. Authorities discovered that the criminals were paying up to £300 ($403) per iPhone, which could then be sold for up to $5,000 in China.
“This is the largest crackdown on mobile phone theft and robbery in the UK,” stated Police Commander Andrew Featherstone. “We’ve dismantled criminal networks at every level, from street-level thieves to international organised crime groups exporting tens of thousands of stolen devices each year.”
Eleven individuals were arrested after attacking courier vans transporting the latest iPhone 17. Two men in their thirties were charged with money laundering after £40,000 in cash was discovered at a phone shop in north London.
Industrial-Scale Theft
London Mayor Sadiq Khan used the operation as evidence that phone theft has reached “industrial scale” in the city. He asked technology companies such as Apple and Samsung to strengthen security measures to prevent stolen gadgets from being reused or resold.
“Criminals are generating millions by reusing stolen phones and selling them abroad, and many are still able to use cloud services. “It’s simply too easy and profitable,” Khan stated.
Police emphasized the importance of modern technologies and e-bikes in enabling quick, street-level thefts that feed the international resale market. The stolen phones frequently migrate swiftly from crooks to organised gangs, which package and export them to Asia.
A Victory for Law Enforcement
The operation marks a significant success for London’s Metropolitan Police in combating mobile phone crime. Officers underlined that such high-value thefts necessitate cross-border coordination, involving local law enforcement, international customs, and investigation partners.
Authorities continue to investigate, and they believe more arrests are inevitable as they trace the cash trails and networks that led to the stolen gadgets. For Londoners, the bust serves as a reminder that phone theft rings who use the global resale market will face serious penalties.
