Delhi: Gang supplying stolen phones to Bangladesh busted, 26 smartphones recovered

New Delhi, Aug 30 (PTI) Three men have been arrested for allegedly stealing expensive phones in East of Kailash by targeting commuters in buses and metros, which were later routed through Kolkata and smuggled into Bangladesh, an official said on Saturday.

The accused, identified as Taj Mohammed (54), Parvesh alias Feroz Khan (42), and Karan alias Om Prakash (30), were caught near the Sri Niwas Puri bus depot on August 28. A total of 26 smartphones were recovered from their possession.

"During interrogation, the accused revealed that they worked for Ajay Negi and Sunny Katta, both residents of Sangam Vihar, who allegedly run an international syndicate dealing in stolen mobile phones," a senior police officer said.

The racketeers collected devices stolen by pickpockets and snatchers across Delhi-NCR, which were later allegedly routed through Kolkata and smuggled into Bangladesh, the police said.

"So far, 10 cases of mobile theft and lost reports have been traced to the recovered devices, including four e-FIRs. Efforts are on to connect the remaining phones," he said.

According to the police, the accused allegedly confessed that the stolen phones were handed over to receivers in Delhi, who then passed them to agents in Kolkata working for buyers in Bangladesh. "The phones are then smuggled across the West Bengal border," the officer said.

Mohammed, originally from Barabanki in Uttar Pradesh, studied up to Class 2 and previously worked as a labourer before becoming a pickpocket. He has no prior criminal record, the police said.

Parvesh, a native of Bihar's Munger, studied till Class 7 and moved to Delhi in search of work. He got involved in criminal activities after working in factories, and was previously involved in three theft cases.

Karan, from Gautam Budh Nagar in UP, studied till Class 8 but left school after his father's death. He worked as a labourer before joining gangs of pickpockets. He has 13 previous cases of theft registered against him.

The gang specifically targeted crowded buses and metro trains, where commuters were easy prey. The recovered phones, mostly expensive ones, were being prepared for delivery when the trio was caught, the police mentioned further.

The concerned police stations have been informed about the recovery of stolen devices, and investigators are tracing the key handlers, Ajay Negi and Sunny Katta, the officer noted. PTI SSJ MPL MPL