510K CPUs, HDDs & extra seized as smugglers keep attempting to sneak tech into China

510K CPUs, HDDs & extra seized as smugglers keep attempting to sneak tech into China

Hong Kong customs said it seized about $3.8 million in tech, including these HP laptops, on Monday.
Enlarge / Hong Kong customs stated it seized about $3.8 million in tech, which include these HP laptops, on Monday.

The modern chip scarcity showed us how considerably individuals will go to obtain rare parts and devices. Those who could not wait around for new electronics battled great cost tags, disheartening lottery techniques, questionable sellers, and unreliable inventory. But just as individuals will go to extremes to obtain tech, severe measures can be taken to sell them.

In 2023, the grey market for Personal computer components, including CPUs, SSDs, and HDDs, and equipment like telephones and computer systems in mainland China seems to be flourishing. Just ask the China and Hong Kong customs brokers who have been announcing seizure right after seizure of tech components, which include a batch reportedly value about $3.8 million received on Monday.

510,000 electronics seized

Hong Kong customs announced it seized 508,000 Computer system elements, which includes CPUs, personal computer tricky drives, and RAM sticks, with an believed current market benefit of close to $3.5 million. There were also 2,000 electronic gadgets, like laptops, telephones, sprint cams, and styli for touchscreens, that are believed to be worthy of about $255,000.

The large haul of suspected smuggled goods.
Enlarge / The substantial haul of suspected smuggled goods.

Customs brokers reportedly located the equipment even though inspecting an outgoing container truck at the Man Kam To Regulate Issue. Hong Kong Customs explained it arrested a 61-yr-outdated male truck driver “suspected to be connected with the circumstance.”

Senior Inspector Wong Chi-person of Hong Kong Customs’ Cargo & Automobile Processing Unit explained, in accordance to Hong Kong’s The Typical, that it is really “considered that the electronic products were conveyed to the mainland for reselling or reassembly.”

The seized hard drives.
Enlarge / The seized really hard drives.

“Customs will proceed to fight cross-boundary smuggling things to do with firm enforcement action dependent on threat assessment and intelligence analysis,” Hong Kong Customs’ announcement Wednesday claimed.

According to the announcement, responsible parties can deal with up to $2 million in fines and 7 years in prison.

Sticky predicament

A 7 days and a fifty percent before, Chinese customs created its own bust, seizing 239 CPUs that were being wrapped around a man’s thighs and abdomen with tape. Centered on images that customs reportedly shared (you can check out them out on the Chinese publication MyDrivers’ web site), the batch involved present-day-gen Intel Core i5-13400F shopper CPUs.

Customs thorough the incident on WeChat, MyDrivers noted. According to a Google translation of MyDrivers’ report, the alleged smuggler “entered the region by way of the ‘no declaration channel’ of the customs at the Gongbei Port Passenger Inspection Corridor. Customs officers observed that he was carrying black unfastened outfits, he was bloated, and looked abnormal, so he was intercepted for investigation.”

Macau, in which the Gongbei Port is located, has reportedly turn into a well-known entry point for smuggling products and solutions into China.

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