From Dubai to Delhi: Passengers Caught Smuggling Unboxed iPhone 16 Pro Max at IGI Airport

New Delhi: Customs officials at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport have seized 12 iPhone 16 Pro Max devices from a group of 4 passengers. The group was  trying to smuggle these iPhones from Dubai on October 1, said Customs officials. 

The iPhone 16 Pro Max is the flagship model in Apple 's latest smartphone series launched worldwide last month and the market price of the consignment in India exceeds Rs 37 lakh, as per information available on the Apple India website.    

Yesterday, 26 iPhone 16 Pro Max devices were seized from a woman passenger at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. The woman, who was travelling from Hong Kong, had concealed the recently launched phones inside her vanity bag.

26 newly-launched iPhone 16 Pro Max devices concealed inside a vanity bag of a woman passenger was seized by Customs authorities at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport.

The passenger, in late thirties, was intercepted after her arrival from Hong Kong, according to a statement issued by the Customs Department on Wednesday.

"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," it said.

While the woman has not been arrested, an investigation is underway to determine whether this incident is 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 Customs department pegged the total tariff value of the seized iPhones at approximately Rs 30,66,328.