Three men have been jailed for a combined 25 years for handling stolen goods, following a Metropolitan Police investigation into the UK’s largest mobile phone smuggling network.

After a year‑long investigation, detectives found the men were responsible for trafficking up to 40,000 stolen mobile phones from the UK to China in 2024 and 2025. The haul is believed to account for around 40 per cent of all phones stolen in London during that period.

The case forms part of the Met’s largest-ever operation targeting mobile phone theft, which exposed a supply chain of street thieves in London to international handlers and exporters.

Commander Andy Featherstone, the Met’s lead for tackling mobile phone theft, said: “Today’s sentences send a clear message: if you steal phones, we’ll come after you.

“This result is down to the relentless work of our officers, who painstakingly pieced together the evidence, tracked this criminal gang’s activity and built the case that has brought these men to justice.

“We’ve already cut phone theft by a fifth this year, meaning thousands fewer victims. London is becoming even safer, but we’re not slowing down. We’ll keep targeting the thieves, handlers and exporters driving this crime.”

The men appeared for sentencing at Southwark Crown Court on Friday, 25 September, after pleading guilty in April to the following offences.

[A] Amir Muhammad Khadikhel, 35 (20.03.91), of Eastway, Wanstead, sentenced to nine-and-a-half years. Convicted of:

• Conspiracy to receive stolen mobile phones
• Conspiracy to transfer/export stolen mobile phones
• Participating in the activities of an organised crime group

[B] Ismat Miakhel, 33 (03.04.93) of The Drive, Walthamstow, sentenced to nine years. Convicted of:

• Conspiracy to receive stolen mobile phones
• Conspiracy to transfer/export stolen mobile phones
• Participating in the activities of an organised crime group

[C] Mansoor Mohammed, 30 (11.04.96) of High Road, Wood Green, sentenced to six-and-a-half years. Convicted of:

• Conspiracy to receive stolen mobile phones
• Participating in the activities of an organised crime group

The Met continues to make tackling phone theft and robbery one of its top priorities, cutting offences by a fifth across London this year – that is the equivalent of more than 9,000 fewer victims.

In Westminster, one of the capital’s busiest tourist hotspots, phone theft and robbery offences have fallen by almost 50 per cent.

Using data-led intelligence and cutting-edge technology, such as drones, high-powered e-bikes, live facial recognition, and specialist teams, officers have been targeting hotspots across London where phone thieves are known to operate.

Operation Echosteep

The investigation started in December 2024 when a box containing around a thousand iPhones being shipped to Hong Kong was found at a warehouse near Heathrow Airport.

Officers discovered almost all of the phones had been stolen – and this resulted in the launch of Operation Echosteep. Specialist detectives – who would ordinarily investigate armed robberies and drug smuggling – were brought in to track down the suspects. They intercepted further shipments and used forensics found on the packages to identify those involved.

On Tuesday, 23 September 2025, officers arrested Amir Muhammad Khadikhel and Ismat Miakhel in north-east London on suspicion of handling stolen goods. They were subsequently charged and remanded in custody.

Several hundred phones were recovered from their car, with a further 2,000 devices seized from properties linked to the men.

The investigation also identified Mansoor Mohammed as being involved in the handling and supply of stolen devices. He was subsequently arrested and charged.