Millions in smuggling: hundreds of smartphones seized and heavy fine imposed at Ercan

A large shipment of undeclared mobile phones was discovered and seized at Ercan customs. This was reported by the Customs and Excise Department, emphasizing that the operation was part of an intensified fight against smuggling.

The incident occurred on April 27, 2026, during a physical inspection of a cargo. A hidden compartment was found in the packaging, the contents of which did not match the declared documents. The cache contained modern smartphones: 126 iPhone 17 Pro Max (256 GB) devices, 40 iPhone 17 Pro (256 GB), 25 iPhone 17 Pro Max (512 GB), and 20 Samsung S26 Ultra (512 GB). None of them were listed in the accompanying documents.

The total commercial value of the seized products is estimated at approximately 210 thousand dollars. A fine of 630 thousand dollars — triple the value of the goods — was imposed for violating customs legislation.

The investigation also revealed discrepancies between the company's customs declaration and the documents submitted to the Information and Communication Technologies Authority. The case was transferred to the Demirhan police station on April 29 and then forwarded to the judicial authorities.

Authorities noted that the procedure was carried out promptly and transparently, despite rumors circulating on social media. The Customs and Excise Department emphasized that control will continue, and the fight against illegal importation of goods will remain a priority.