A major international phone theft network operating between France and North Africa has been dismantled following a joint investigation by Moroccan and French authorities.
The network, which trafficked stolen mobile phones from France to countries including Algeria and Morocco, had grown into a lucrative criminal enterprise.
Thousands of devices stolen annually from public transport, shopping areas and public spaces in France were quickly fed into a well-organized supply chain.
Once stripped of data or resold, these phones ended up on parallel markets across the Maghreb, generating significant illicit profits while leaving victims exposed to the loss of sensitive personal and professional information.
The breakthrough came after a coordinated operation led by Morocco’s National Judicial Police Brigade (BNPJ) in collaboration with the French National Police.
Authorities recovered 31 phones linked to an armed robbery at a French mobile phone retailer in February. Six suspects were arrested in Morocco, including two shopkeepers based in Marrakech and Rabat accused of putting the stolen devices into circulation, as well as four others believed to have managed their transport and clandestine resale.
Officials described the operation as a clear demonstration of the effectiveness of cross-border law enforcement cooperation. Each recovered device served as a critical piece of evidence, allowing investigators to map the network’s trafficking routes.
The dismantled operation functioned like a covert business: thieves operated in France, couriers transported the goods, and local distributors sold them in Maghreb markets. Its level of organization highlighted how everyday consumer electronics can fuel transnational crime when supported by parallel economic channels.
Authorities say the success of this crackdown proves that persistent tracking of stolen goods can disrupt such networks and curb the underground trade in electronics. They warned, however, that phone theft remains a thriving international market requiring constant vigilance and strengthened cooperation between countries to prevent resurgence.
About The Author
