An iPhone smuggler has been arrested after attempting to sneak a record 102 handsets into mainland China. The woman, who was traveling from Hong Kong, was also carrying 15 luxury watches for a total 42 pounds of contraband.
Apple sells the iPhone in China now, and has done for years, but there’s still incredible demand for its devices on the black market where customers don’t have to pay heavy taxes. That makes smuggling handsets into the country big business.
Shenzhen Louhu customs officers say they normally spot smuggles with “less than a dozen” iPhones, but periodically find people with 70 to 80 devices. Their latest bust, a woman who has since been nicknamed the “female Iron Man,” had 102 handsets strapped to her person.
Photo: XMNN
They were individually sealed in plastic bags and sandwiched in four layers before being secured around her torso and waist. Unsurprisingly, officials pulled her aside after spotting unusual bulges and strange body proportions.
Is is believed most of the handsets were iPhone 6 models, but it’s not clear if they were genuine Apple devices or convincing third-party clones. Alongside 15 luxury watches, the total weight of the haul was 42 pounds.
Photo: XMNN
Via: AppleInsider
