Lahore police have dismantled a gang involved in mobile phone smuggling in Pakistan using cargo delivery services. The operation was led by SHO Afzal Rauf of Faisal Town police station and resulted in the arrest of two suspects.
According to SP Model Town Akhlaq Ullah Tarar, police tracked the gang using CCTV footage and mobile phone location data. The suspects reportedly snatched mobile phones from citizens, packed them as parcels, and shipped them to Peshawar through cargo companies.
The arrested individuals, identified as Shehzad and Hassan, have criminal records with multiple cases of robbery and theft. Authorities recovered ten stolen phones, Rs200,000 in cash, and two pistols during the operation.
SP Tarar revealed that one suspect was caught on camera fleeing after a phone snatching incident, which led to their arrest. Police believe the gang used cargo services to avoid detection and continue their illegal trade.
A case has been registered, and raids are ongoing to capture other members of the network involved in this smuggling ring.
The bust has raised fresh concerns about the misuse of cargo and courier services for illegal activities, especially in major cities like Lahore and Karachi.
Just last month, Karachi police uncovered another smuggling technique where drugs were being delivered through online platforms using motorcycle riders, shifting from traditional courier methods.
Authorities in Pakistan are stepping up efforts to monitor logistics companies and prevent the use of such services for criminal operations. The police have urged cargo firms to verify parcel senders and report any suspicious activity.
The recent arrests are seen as part of a broader move to curb organized theft and mobile phone smuggling in Pakistan, which affects consumer safety and national revenue.
For more on recent crackdowns targeting digital crime networks, read about the Faisalabad cybercrime raid here.
