Buenos Aires Mayor Announces Crackdown on Stolen Cell Phone Trade
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
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Official statement
New plan
- Buenos Aires Mayor Jorge Macri announced measures to combat the "mafia of stolen cell phones" by increasing controls on used phone sales and repairs.
- A 90-day emergency decree will be implemented, restricting new repair shops in high-risk areas and requiring proof of origin for all parts.
- A traceability registry for used phone activities will be created to identify establishments, equipment, and operations, making it harder to sell stolen phones.
Buenos Aires Mayor Jorge Macri has declared an emergency to combat the "mafia of stolen cell phones," announcing a series of measures to increase controls on businesses that sell and repair used mobile devices. "The mafia of stolen cell phones is over," Macri stated, vowing to apply the full force of the law against those involved in the illicit trade.
The mafia of stolen cell phones is over. We declare an emergency to hit them with the full weight of the law. Let it be clear, whoever buys a stolen phone to dismantle it and sell it for parts is not a merchant: they are a criminal who is part of a mafia network.
A 90-day emergency decree has been signed, targeting the commercialization and repair of used cell phones throughout the city. In areas deemed high-risk, no new repair shops will be authorized. Businesses will be required to demonstrate the origin of every part they possess, with Macri emphasizing, "Law and order."
The government plans to establish a traceability registry for the repair and sale of used cell phones. This system aims to identify establishments, equipment, and transactions, thereby hindering the flow of stolen phones into the formal commercial circuit. Enhanced control and inspection measures will also be intensified.
In high-risk areas, not a single more 'cell phone repair' shop will be authorized, and they will have to demonstrate the origin of every part they have. Law and order.
Officials stated these measures are part of a broader security strategy focused on order and respect for the law, which they claim has led to historically low crime rates in the city. The plan involves immediate reinforced control during the emergency period, targeted interventions in critical neighborhoods, and a permanent system for tracking activities.
This is one more step in consolidating a security scheme based on order and respect for the law that has allowed crime to be reduced to historic lows in the city territory, in both robberies and homicides.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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