Met Police Disrupt International Network Smuggling 40,000 Stolen Phones to China

The Metropolitan Police have dismantled a major international criminal network responsible for smuggling up to 40,000 stolen mobile phones from the UK to China over the past year, marking the largest crackdown on phone theft in the UK. The investigation began in December 2024 when police discovered nearly 1,000 stolen iPhones destined for Hong Kong at a warehouse near Heathrow Airport, prompting Operation Echosteep. Over 46 arrests were made, including individuals charged with handling stolen goods and money laundering, and more than 2,000 stolen devices were recovered during raids in London and Hertfordshire. The network primarily targeted Apple products due to their high resale value abroad, with street-level thieves earning up to £300 per stolen handset and devices being sold in China for up to £4,000. Police highlighted a surge in phone thefts in London, with approximately 81,000 devices stolen in 2024, and called on manufacturers like Apple and Samsung to enhance phone security to help combat the issue. The operation involved precise, targeted activity against gangs, including those robbing delivery vans for new iPhones, showcasing the scale and sophistication of the criminal enterprise.