P1.3-M iPhones seized at NAIA

MANILA, Philippines - Customs officers recently confiscated 30 iPhones from a Chinese man who arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 from Xiamen, officials said yesterday. 

NAIA customs district collector Ed Macabeo said the Customs examiners stopped Su Miaoquiao after his backpack showed irregular images when it passed through the x-ray machine.

The examiners found 30 undeclared iPhone 7 Plus #A1660, with a value of P1.3 million, in the backpack, Macabeo said. 

X-ray Inspection Project head Jaybee Raul Cometa said Su violated the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act after he failed to declare the smartphones and present the proper National Telecommunications Commission import permit.

The smartphones are at NAIA Terminal 1’s In-Bond Room while the investigation is ongoing. Su will be charged with smuggling, officials said.