Stolen iphone 5? IMEI/MEID number helpful in finding it?

My iphone 5 was stolen a few days ago. I don't have "find my iphone" activated. It seems as though the person has removed my sim. I have heard that if you have the IMEI/MEID and serial number, they may be useful in trying to locate the phone? I do have these numbers as I have the original box of the phone. If this is true, what would be the necessary steps to take next? I have not told the police because I am in a foreign country and would encounter a lot of difficulty in having to communicate my problem to them clearly. Thanks in advance.