DEVELOPING: Police Crackdown on Global Phone Thieves After Single iPhone Triggers Massive Investigation

BREAKING NEWS: Police Crackdown on Global Phone Thieves After Single iPhone Triggers Massive Investigation The Metropolitan Police has arrested 18 suspects and seized over 2,000 stolen mobile phones in the UK's largest ever operation against phone thefts. The investigation was triggered after a victim electronically tracked their stolen iPhone to a warehouse near Heathrow Airport last year. Police believe the gang could be responsible for exporting up to half of all phones stolen in London, where most mobiles are taken in the UK. The suspects were arrested at dawn raids on 28 properties in London and Hertfordshire. The investigation was sparked by a single iPhone, which led police to an international gang suspected of smuggling up to 40,000 stolen phones from the UK to China in the last year. Detective Inspector Mark Gavin said: "It was actually on Christmas Eve and a victim electronically tracked their stolen iPhone to a warehouse near Heathrow Airport." The operation is ongoing, with further arrests expected as police continue to dismantle the gang's network. This is a developing story, with more information emerging as it becomes available. This is a breaking news story. We will provide updates as more information comes in. *This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Based on reporting from Bbc.*