46 arrests have been made, with officers saying up to 40 000 phones had been smuggled to China for sale there.
Police think the gang might be behind the export of half of all phones stolen in London.
Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley says young people are being used by the gangs to make the thefts.
IN: "We certainly...
OUT: ...a day."
DUR: 13 seconds
http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/0710phones-rowley1.mp3