Technology has touched our lives in many ways. It has enhanced our form of communication, opened up avenues for intellectual development and ensured a higher form of security. However, when these advancements in technology fall in the wrong hands, the result is undoubtedly catastrophic.
The Chinese Government got to know this the hard way when they found out that a sophisticated gang was using drones to smuggle smartphones from Hong Kong to Shenzen. And although it sounds like a sub-plot from a science-fiction movie, the details shared by the Hong Kong police will convince you about the plausibility of this task.
Officials said that the Chinese smugglers used a contraption of wires and drones to transport ₹ 5,200 crores worth of iPhones
According to Legal Daily, these smugglers used to set up their shop in high rise condos in Shenzhen along with their phones and drones. Now, while simple-minded people like us would’ve conducted multiple visits with those iPhones, these crooks used those drones to send over cables to their friends in Hong Kong. And once the “flying line” was in position they simply sent over the phones on motorized wheels.
“It’s the first case found in China that drones were being used in cross-border smuggling crimes.”
Considering how the process of sending the smartphones on wheels would’ve caused noise – thereby alarming the guards – the authorities said that the smugglers used soundproofing materials on the contraption. Now, that’s some commendable mixing of good intellect with bad intentions!
The smugglers worked so discreetly across the border that it ages for Chinese officials to deduce the scale of this operation.
Although the crime ring was terminated within a month, the smugglers had already transported 8 million (approx ₹ 5,200 crores) worth of refurbished iPhones. The custom officials stated to the South China Morning Post that these criminals worked from midnight to 5 a.m., transporting 10,000 to 15,000 smartphones each night for about 15 days a month. In doing so, they earned around ₹ 0.16 crores on a monthly basis.
It was only after the investigators received a tip from the general public that they were able to nab these perpetrators.
As of now, the Shenzhen police has captured 26 suspects, two drones and thousands of iPhones. And on the other side of the border, the Hong Kong police has arrested three suspects and 900 smartphones. So, in case you’re looking to buy a new phone, you know where to go.