In a major breakthrough, Delhi Police have arrested a man operating an international racket dealing in stolen mobile phones and seized 42 high-end smartphones from his shop in Karol Bagh.

The accused, Satender Pratap Singh alias Surjeet, 47, was reportedly preparing to ship the stolen devices to Nepal when a crime branch team raided his shop on July 19. The haul included 16 iPhones and several premium Android models.

Police said Surjeet served as a vital link between street-level mobile thieves and international black markets. He would collect stolen or snatched phones from local criminals and smuggle them out of India for resale, primarily to Nepal. Investigators believe he has already trafficked over 300 stolen phones across the border.

Also Read: Delhi Welcomes First MG Select Dealership Showcasing Cyberster and M9 MPV  

Surjeet, a resident of Mahroli in Delhi, has a long criminal history with at least 10 prior cases involving theft, robbery, and snatching. During interrogation, he confessed to building his criminal network while serving time in Tihar Jail, where he connected with other offenders involved in organized theft.

His journey into crime began after working in a PCO booth in Punjabi Bagh in the late '90s. Over time, he transitioned into mobile accessories and second-hand phone sales, eventually diving into illegal trade driven by the lure of fast money. Although arrested in 2017 for similar offenses, he resumed operations under the guise of a Karol Bagh mobile shop upon release.

Police said the arrest has helped crack at least four recent mobile theft cases in the city. Investigations are underway to uncover the full scale of the racket and identify other members of the smuggling network.

Also Read: Delhi Launches Month-Long Cleanliness Drive