Major crackdown disrupts international phone theft network
The Metropolitan Police have announced a sweeping crackdown on a criminal network suspected of smuggling up to 40,000 stolen mobile devices from the United Kingdom to China. In two weeks of targeted activity, 46 people have been arrested, and investigators say the operation disrupted a complex, well-funded scheme focused on Apple products.
The investigation, which began last December after a box bound for Hong Kong was found at a warehouse near Heathrow Airport containing around 1,000 iPhones, marks one of the largest policing efforts against phone theft and trafficking in the UK. Officers confirmed that the majority of the seized devices were stolen, prompting the formation of Operation Echosteep to pursue leads and identify the suspects.
How the network operated
Detective Inspector Mark Gavin, the senior investigating officer for Operation Echosteep, described the scheme as highly organized and profit-driven. “This group specifically targeted Apple products because of their profitability overseas,” he said. The Met revealed that street thieves were paid up to £300 per handset, and investigators uncovered evidence suggesting devices could fetch as much as $5,000 (£3,700) in the Chinese market.
Officers traced shipments and used forensic analysis to connect devices recovered in a car with properties linked to two men in their 30s, who were arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods on 23 September. Since then, further searches and seizures have expanded the scope of the operation, with additional phones found at several associated locations.
Key seizures and arrests
Investigators recovered a significant number of devices from multiple sites, reinforcing the view that the ring played a central role in moving large quantities of stolen phones abroad. In addition to the 1,000 iPhones discovered in the initial warehouse box, investigators recovered devices in the suspects’ car and at linked properties, with reports indicating that around 2,000 further devices were seized after raids and forensic work.
Other notable actions included the stop of a man at Heathrow on 20 September carrying 10 suspected stolen phones, along with two iPads, two laptops and two Rolex watches. Authorities noted that this individual had travelled between London and Algeria more than 200 times in two years, underscoring the international reach of the network.
Industry response and calls for action
London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, commented that it is “simply too easy and profitable” for criminals to exploit stolen devices. He urged the mobile phone industry to “go harder and faster” in designing out theft and called for coordinated global action to shut down the trade and protect consumers. The Met’s Commander Andrew Featherstone, who leads the force’s efforts against phone theft, praised the operation as the largest crackdown in UK history on mobile phone theft and robbery while emphasizing the need for continued industry collaboration.
Police officials also urged manufacturers to enhance security features and improve device re-use controls to reduce the value of stolen devices on international markets. While Operation Echosteep demonstrates the capability to disrupt sophisticated criminal networks, authorities stress that ongoing cooperation with manufacturers and international partners is essential to prevent a repeat of this crime wave.
What comes next
With 46 arrests to date and ongoing investigations, the Met Police say more charges could follow as officers continue to analyse recovered devices and trace criminal finances. The case illustrates not only the scale of the theft problem in urban areas but also the international dimension of modern property crime, where stolen goods can quickly cross borders and re-enter global supply chains.
Residents are urged to remain vigilant about securing their devices and to report suspicious activity. The police reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing those who profit from theft and to working with industry partners to reduce the appeal and profitability of stolen devices.
