Here’s my take on this.
Yes, it’s accurate that law enforcement can track a phone using its IMEI number. The process works by compelling the mobile carrier to identify which cell towers the device is communicating with. This isn’t an unrestricted ability, though. Authorities typically need to present a warrant or a court order, usually reserved for significant criminal investigations or efforts to locate a missing person.
Regarding precision, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. The accuracy depends on cell tower density. In a city, triangulation can narrow the location to a city block. However, in rural areas with fewer towers, the search area could be several miles wide. So, it’s more of a general locator than a pinpoint GPS tracker. It’s a useful investigative tool, but its effectiveness varies by location.