Three suspected thieves disguised as porters at the Marina Creek Berth were arrested by the Dubai Police after they were caught red-handed stealing mobile phones from a shipment meant for export.
As much as Dh500,000 was recovered from the suspects as the suspects admitted to selling the phones for a quarter of their price.
The gang of men were highly selective, according to the police.
They would allegedly search boxes and steal only smart phones and the most expensive gadgets and leave the less expensive ones to be shipped to their destinations.
Brigadier Khalil Ebrahim Al Mansouri, Director of the Criminal Investigation Department, told Gulf News that the gang members stole expensive mobile phones which were left unsecured and unattended at the marina.
"They used to dress as porters and mingle among the other people at the marina looking for selective shipments of mobile phones," he said, Lieutenant Colonel Ahmad Al Merri, Director of the Criminal Investigation Section, alleged that one member of the gang would open the boxes left on the wharf of the marina to see what was inside. "They were picky as they chose to steal the most expensive smart phones from different makes, such as Nokia and Samsung and leave the rest inside the box," Al Merri told the newspaper.
The suspects are alleged to have entered the country illegally. Some of these phones have not been reported stolen, and police are still waiting for them to be identified.