Overview

• The network sourced stolen phones from thefts on DTC buses across Delhi and routed them through Kolkata to handlers near the Indo‑Bangladesh border.
• The crackdown began on July 27 with four arrests and 38 phones recovered, followed by August arrests of Rahul, Mojahir, Shivam, and Kolkata-based Mohammad Khalid.
• Police directly recovered 194 handsets and traced 100 more via the CEIR portal, with 45 matched to FIRs and 30 to lost property reports.
• Officials say IMEI blocking through CEIR reduces domestic resale value, incentivising gangs to move stolen devices overseas.
• Khalid’s phone held contacts of Bangladeshi nationals, and a local court granted Delhi Police transit remand after his August 21 arrest.