Met dismantles smuggling gang in UK’s largest phone theft crackdown

The Metropolitan Police has dismantled an international smuggling gang and recovered thousands of stolen mobile phones in the UK’s largest-ever crackdown on phone theft.

The operation cdenamed Echosteep uncovered a criminal network believed to have smuggled up to 40,000 stolen phones from the UK to China over the past year , accounting for as much as 40 per cent of all phones stolen in London. Around 80,000 mobile phones were stolen in London last year. Police believe they are exported overseas and resold after being digitally wiped.

Heathrow Discovery

The investigation began last December when a box containing around 1,000 iPhones bound for Hong Kong was discovered at a warehouse near Heathrow Airport. Almost all were confirmed stolen. The discovery triggered a large-scale investigation involving specialist detectives who typically handle armed robbery and drug smuggling cases.

Further forensic work on intercepted shipments led investigators to identify two men believed to be key figures in the operation. In September, two suspects in their 30s were arrested in north-east London on suspicion of handling stolen goods. Officers found stolen phones in their car and seized around 2,000 additional devices at properties linked to the pair. Both men have been charged and remanded in custody.

Detectives uncovered links to street-level thieves and handlers across London. In recent weeks, officers made a further 15 arrests on suspicion of theft, handling stolen goods, and conspiracy to steal. More than 30 suspected stolen devices were recovered during searches at 28 properties across London and Hertfordshire.

Criminal Network

Snior investigating officer for Operation Echosteep Detective Inspector Mark Gavin said the Heathrow discovery was the “starting point for an investigation which uncovered an international smuggling gang responsible for exporting up to 40 per cent of all the phones stolen in London.”

“This group specifically targeted Apple products because of their profitability overseas. Street thieves were being paid up to £300 per handset, and we found evidence of devices being sold for up to $5,000 in China.”

Largest Operation of Its Kind

The Met says Operation Echosteep as the largest coordinated action against mobile phone theft in UK history. Over the past two weeks, 46 arrests have been made during targeted activity aimed at disrupting organised crime networks behind the trade.

Recent operations include the arrest of 11 suspects linked to robberies on courier vans delivering the new iPhone 17. Using intelligence-led policing and advanced tracking technology, officers from the Flying Squad intercepted planned thefts and seized stolen devices.

On 25 September, two men were arrested at a phone shop on Seven Sisters Road, Islington, on suspicion of money laundering and handling stolen goods. Around £40,000 in cash and multiple stolen devices were seized. Both have been bailed pending further investigation.

In another case, a man was charged with handling stolen goods after being stopped at Heathrow Airport with 10 suspected stolen phones, two iPads, two laptops and two Rolex watches. Further inquiries revealed he had travelled between London and Algeria more than 200 times in two years.

Disrupting the Stolen Phone Market

Commander Andrew Featherstone, the Met’s lead for tackling phone theft, said:
“This is the most extraordinary operation of its kind that the Met has ever undertaken. We’ve dismantled criminal networks at every level, from street thieves to international organised crime groups exporting tens of thousands of stolen devices each year.

“This is a clear sign of our commitment to driving down crime. But we need more help from the industry. We’re calling on phone manufacturers such as Apple and Samsung to do more to protect their customers especially around phone security and device reuse.”

The Met says its recent enforcement activity has led to significant arrests, the recovery of thousands of stolen devices, and major disruption to international trafficking routes. As a result, personal robbery has fallen by 13 per cent and theft is down 14 per cent across London so far this year.

National Support 

Crime and Policing Minister Sarah Jones  said
“This sends a clear message: if you’re involved in phone theft — on the streets, behind shop counters, or as part of an organised gang — we’re coming after you. I want to see more of these large-scale interventions, which is why we’re putting more police on the streets and giving them stronger powers to track down those responsible.”