Flyer from Dubai caught with 100 iphones worth ₹85L

ACCUSED WAS TRYING TO CROSS THE ‘GREEN CHANNEL’ AT AIRPORT WHEN HE WAS STOPPED AND SEARCHED, WHICH LED TO THE DISCOVERY OF SMUGGLED ITEMS

NEWDELHI:A 53-year-old man travelling to Delhi from Dubai was detained at the Delhi airport for carrying as many as 100 iphones worth over ₹85 lakh, customs officials said on Sunday.

Officials said the man was apprehended by customs department at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport for attempting to smuggle 100 iphone X to India from the United Arab Emirates. Customs department said each of these phones is valued at over ₹85,000 in India, taking the total valuation of these smartphones to at least ₹85 lakh.

“The recovered mobile phones were seized under Section 110 of the Customs Act, 1962, and the passenger was arrested under Section 104 of the same Act. Further investigation into the matter is under process,” said Amandeep Singh, additional commissioner of customs, IGI airport.

A senior customs official, who did not wish to be named, said they received a tip-off about the man, who was returning from Dubai on Friday. The accused was trying to cross the ‘green channel’ at the Delhi airport when he was stopped and searched, which led to the discovery of the smuggled iphones, the official said. Green channel is a clearance for a passenger who does not having any dutiable goods or other items for which declaration is not required.