Electronic devices hidden inside cross-border buses
PUBLISHED : Sunday, 22 March, 2015, 6:15am
UPDATED : Sunday, 22 March, 2015, 6:15am
Staff Reporters
An officer guards a coach used by suspected smugglers. Photo: EPA
Customs officers seized HK$22 million worth of electronic products, including the iPhone 6, in New Territories anti-smuggling raids on Friday that partly targeted cross-border coaches.
The operation uncovered 1,000 mobile phones, 457 computer tablets and spare parts worth HK$7 million, all hidden in the luggage area of an outbound cross-border coach at Shenzhen Bay.
Officers seized a further 1,269 mobile phones and 1,397 tablets worth about HK$11 million from two coaches and two vans in Yuen Long and Ma On Shan.
In addition, 168 tablets and electronic parts worth about HK$3 million were found in two Sha Tin warehouses.
Nine suspected syndicate members, aged between 25 and 56, were arrested.
The iPhone 6 series has been a big hit since its release in September.
In the same month, more than 130 of the Apple smartphone and computer hardware, worth HK$3 million in total, were seized from a Sai Kung dock.
Customs in Shenzhen arrested a Hongkonger who tried to hide eight iPhone 6 units in his underpants.
Another 255 smartphones and 930 integrated circuit chips were found beneath a mainland-bound truck in Lok Ma Chau.
