Customs seized HKD22 million worth of Apple products and other electronic parts on Friday.
Officials first stopped an outbound coach at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point, finding 1,000 iPhones, 457 iPads and other electronic parts.
The HKD7 million worth of goods were found concealed in the baggage compartment of the coach.
In case you needed one more reason to avoid buying smuggled goods, these guys clearly didn’t care too much for protective packaging.
In their subsequent investigation, customs officials searched two more coaches and two vans, finding another HKD11 million worth of electronics, including 1,269 phones and 1,397 tablets.
Later they found another 168 tablets and other electronic parts worth HKD3 million at a warehouse in Sha Tin.
Nine people aged 25-56, including the “mastermind” of the smuggling ring, were arrested.
The investigation is continuing, while thousands across the border are left with no Apple products on which to play Angry Birds.
Any person found guilty of smuggling is liable to a maximum fine of HKD7 million and imprisonment for seven years.
