In a significant crackdown, the Jaipur Police on Thursday dismantled a sophisticated inter-state gang involved in snatching high-end mobile phones and smuggling them across the border to Bangladesh. The operation led to the arrest of two key members and the detention of a minor.
Organized Racket with Pan-India Reach
The police identified the arrested accused as Suraj Mahto (30) and Sheikh Sobrati (30), both hailing from the Sahibganj district of Jharkhand. According to Special Commissioner of Police Rahul Prakash, the gang operated from a base village in Sahibganj, where several residents were allegedly involved in this illicit trade.
This was not a localized operation. The gang had a sprawling network active in multiple major Indian cities. Besides Jaipur, their operations extended to Mumbai, Nagpur, New Delhi, Bengaluru, and Patna, among other urban centers.
Sophisticated Training and Smuggling Pipeline
Investigations revealed a highly organized racket. The gang ran training camps in their village, teaching new recruits specific phone-snatching techniques and methods to dispose of the stolen devices. Suraj Mahto is alleged to have been a key organizer of these camps at three different locations.
The gang provided logistical support to its operatives, including arranging accommodation in target cities and setting daily theft targets. The stolen phones were systematically routed back to a single collection point in Jharkhand. From there, the devices were trafficked to Bangladesh, a cross-border movement that made tracking and recovery exceptionally difficult for law enforcement agencies.
Modus Operandi and Exploitation of Minors
The gang meticulously targeted crowded public spaces where escape was easy and victims were distracted. Their preferred hunting grounds included railway stations, bus stands, and bustling vegetable markets.
In a disturbing tactic, the gang deliberately used minors to carry out the actual snatching. Police explained that even if a minor was caught, the gang would lure them back into the criminal activity as soon as they were released on bail, exploiting legal loopholes and the vulnerability of youth.
Major Recovery and Ongoing Investigation
The police action resulted in a substantial recovery. A total of 31 high-end mobile phones, with an estimated value exceeding Rs 22 lakh, were seized from the accused. The arrests and subsequent interrogation are expected to provide further leads to dismantle the entire network and trace the international smuggling chain.
This bust highlights the organized nature of street crime evolving into interstate and international rackets, posing a significant challenge for police forces across city borders.
