Hyderabad police nab international smartphone smuggling gang, arrest 17, including Sudanese nationals

HYDERABAD: In a significant operation, the Commissioner’s Task Force, South Zone Team, Hyderabad, in collaboration with the Bandlaguda police, has busted an international smartphone smuggling and snatching gang and apprehended 17 individuals, including five Sudanese nationals. The police seized a total of 703 smartphones worth Rs. 1.75 crores and a Bajaj Pulsar Motorcycle.

Hyderabad city has witnessed a surge in mobile phone snatchings and thefts recently, prompting the police to conduct a thorough investigation to curb this escalating menace and understand the underlying patterns. This investigation revealed a widespread criminal network operating within the city, involving cellphone snatchers, receivers of stolen goods, and traders—both domestic and international—engaged in the illicit transport of these phones abroad for illegal profits.

Additionally, stolen cellphones are being disassembled in niche markets, with their components, such as screens, cameras, and speakers, used as replacement parts for damaged mobiles at significantly lower prices than original company rates.

The perpetrators, Mohammad Muzammil and Syed Abrar, residents of Tadbun and Jahanuma respectively, both hailing from Hyderabad, hatched a plan to snatch cellphones from unsuspecting passersby late at night in isolated areas, fueled by their desire for a more luxurious lifestyle due to insufficient earnings. Utilising a stolen Bajaj Pulsar N.S. 200 motorcycle as their means of transportation, they carried out their operations within the jurisdictions of various police stations.

Subsequently, they sold the stolen smartphones to Mohd Saleem, an accomplice, to make quick illegal profits. Further investigations led to the apprehension of other individuals involved in receiving and dealing with stolen property, including Mohd Shafi alias Bablu, whose shops in Jagdish Market, Abids, facilitated the purchase of these phones at discounted prices by Sudanese national Khalid Abdelbagi Mohamed Albadwi and his associates, who then illegally exported them via sea routes to Sudan for substantial profits.

Hyderabad police warned of legal action against the foreign nationals involved in these illegal activities. Moreover, a mobile repair shop operating in Jagdish Market, where J. Yelamanda Reddy was receiving stolen iPhones and using their parts for repairs, has also been uncovered.

Following a comprehensive investigation, the Hyderabad police have arrested the above suspects and seized 703 smartphones of various brands, including Apple iPhone, Samsung, Vivo, RedMi, RealMe, OnePlus, Oppo, and POCO. Further investigation into the case is ongoing.