New Delhi: In yet another seizure of iPhones, the Customs department at the city’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport held four persons who were trying to smuggle these high-end phones in the country. The officials, in the video, are seen unpacking the wrappers in boxes with iPhones and one by one, a total of 12 Apple iPhones are taken out.
"Customs@IGI Airport seized 12 iPhone 16 Pro Max from a group of four passengers trying to smuggle these iPhones from Dubai by indigo flight 6E-1464 on 01.10.2024," the Delhi airport customs said in a post on X. They posted the image and video of the recovery as well.
The incident happened on the same day when, based on intelligence, the Customs intercepted a lady passenger travelling from Hong Kong to Delhi. The total value of these seizure is approx Rs 44,81, 556.
"The woman was carrying 26 iPhone 16 Pro Max concealed inside her vanity bag (wrapped in tissue paper). Further investigation is underway," the X post of the Customs read.
The passenger, in her late thirties, was intercepted after her arrival from Hong Kong on Tuesday. "On a detailed personal and baggage search of the passenger, 26 iPhone 16 Pro Max concealed in her vanity bag wrapped in tissue papers were recovered," the department said, quoted PTI.
The woman was arrested and a probe was launched to determine whether this incident was isolated or part of a larger smuggling syndicate dealing in high-end electronic goods. "The recovered iPhones have been seized under section 110 of the Customs Act, 1962. Further investigation is under progress," the statement said.
The total tariff value of the seized iPhones was at approximately Rs 30,66,328, the agency said, quoted PTI. iPhone 16 Pro Max is the flagship model in Apple's smartphone series was launched worldwide last month. This with the 12 others (Rs 14.15 lakhs approx) takes the total value of the seizure to Rs 44,81, 556.
According to the Apple India Website, the market price of the consignment in India exceeds Rs 37 lakh.