calender_icon.png 11 July, 2025 | 12:31 PM

Airport Police intercept five women attempting to smuggle 10 high end iPhones

18-03-2025 12:00:00 AM

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) Police Outpost intercepted a group of five women attempting to smuggle a total of 10 high-end iPhones into India without declaring them to customs authorities. The women were traveling from Ras-Al-Khaimah (UAE) to Hyderabad on Flight No 6E-1496, which landed at RGIA at approximately 7:30am on Monday.

The officers received reliable information around 7am and immediately deployed a team, including sufficient female personnel, to monitor the arrival of the flight. Upon noticing the five women with suspicious baggage in the International Arrival Exit area, the officers observed their attempt to take an alternate route to evade detection. Swift action by the police led to the apprehension of the women, who were taken to a nearby cabin for further questioning.

Upon investigation, the women were found to be carrying a total of 10 iPhones (iPhone 16 Pro Max, gold color), hidden in their luggage. When questioned, the women could not provide any purchase receipts or proof of legitimate ownership.

Further investigation revealed that the phones had been purchased in Ras-Al-Khaimah at a discounted price of approximately Rs 90,000 each, with the intention of selling them in India at a higher price, thereby evading taxes and defrauding the Government of India.

The women involved in this illegal activity have been identified as Rizwana Begum (37), Saba Khanam (25), Oamar Begum (60), Surriya Khanam (55) and Layeeaunnisa (55). The seized phones, along with their corresponding boxes, have been secured as evidence. The total value of the smuggled goods is under investigation. Legal action is being initiated against the accused for evading taxes and smuggling goods into the country, said police.