Smart phone theft trio jailed for combined total of 25 years

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

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

Commander Andy Featherstone, the Metropolitan Police Service’s lead for tackling mobile phone theft, said: “These sentences send a clear message: if you steal phones, we’ll come after you. This outcome 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 the men to justice.”

Featherstone added: “We’ve already cut smart phone theft by one-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 who are driving this form of criminality.”

Southwark Crown Court

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

Amir Muhammad Khadikhel, aged 35 of Eastway in Wanstead, was sentenced to nine-and-a-half years behind bars having been convicted of conspiracy to receive stolen mobile phones, conspiracy to transfer/export stolen mobile phones and participating in the activities of an organised crime group.

Ismat Miakhel, aged 33 of The Drive in Walthamstow, has been sentenced to nine years in prison. Miakhel was convicted of conspiracy to receive stolen mobile phones, conspiracy to transfer/export stolen mobile phones and participating in the activities of an organised crime group.

Mansoor Mohammed, aged 30 of High Road in Wood Green, was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in hail having been convicted of conspiracy to receive stolen mobile phones and participating in the activities of an organised crime group.

The Metropolitan Police Service continues to make tackling phone theft and robbery one of its top priorities. In Westminster, which is one of the capital’s busiest tourist ‘hotspots’, phone theft and robbery offences have fallen by almost 50%.

Using data-led intelligence and cutting-edge technology (including drones, high-powered e-bikes and live facial recognition) in tandem with specialist teams, officers have been targeting ‘hotspots’ across London where smart phone thieves are known to operate.

Operation Echosteep

The investigation began back in December 2024 when a box containing around 1,000 iPhones being shipped to Hong Kong was found at a warehouse near Heathrow Airport.

Officers discovered that almost all of the phones had been stolen. 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 phone shipments and used forensics found on the packages to identify those involved.

On 23 September last year, 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 the duo’s 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. Mohammed was subsequently arrested and charged.

*Further information is available online at www.met.police.uk