Mumbai: An attempt to smuggle the recently launched premium Apple iPhone X phones was foiled by the Mumbai airport customs officials on Saturday. The officials seized 11 handsets worth Rs 10.52 lakh on Saturday night. It was the first case of an attempt to smuggle Apple iPhone X into India.
The airport customs arrested an Indian national who arrived on a flight from Hong Kong. The suspect was identified as Bhavesh Virani, who claimed to own a mobile phone store in Andheri.
The phones were seized after the officials searched his baggage, sources in the air intelligence unit (AIU) said. The Apple iPhone X phone was launched in India on November 3 and is being sold at Rs 89,000. It is suspected that the accused wanted to sell it in the grey market at a price lower than the market rate.
“We had already stepped up vigilance following the launch of the new version of the phone. Virani’s visit to Hong Kong was brief, and we found it unusual, so we checked his luggage and registered the first case of smuggling of Apple iPhone X phones,” said a senior customs officer.
During the questioning, Virani told the AIU officials that he bought the phones himself. However, the authorities suspect him to be a carrier and could be a part of a larger racket.
