Woman Abandons Baby While Smuggling Over 100 Mobile Phones into Zhuhai
A shocking incident unfolded at Gongbei Port in Zhuhai, China, where a woman attempting to smuggle 102 used mobile phones abandoned her baby in a desperate bid to escape customs officers. Together with her male accomplice, the pair had strapped dozens of mobile phones to their bodies in an elaborate smuggling operation that highlights the growing black market for second-hand electronics.
The two suspects arrived at the immigration checkpoint at approximately 8:28am on 1 July 2025, pushing a baby stroller through the customs green channel in an attempt to appear like an innocent family. However, customs officers noticed suspicious bulges on their bodies and stopped them for inspection. In a dramatic turn, the woman tried to flee the scene, leaving her own child behind in the stroller. Officers quickly intercepted her before she could escape.
Mobile Phones Strapped with Plastic Film
Upon thorough examination, officers discovered 48 old mobile phones strapped to the man’s legs, waist, abdomen, and chest, while the woman carried an astonishing 54 phones on her body. The mobile devices had been tightly wrapped with plastic film to avoid detection by customs scanners. After counting, the total number of smuggled phones amounted to 102 — a haul worth thousands of dollars on the grey market for refurbished electronics.
Authorities soon confirmed that the child abandoned in the stroller was the biological child of the woman. Meanwhile, investigations revealed that the man and woman were not married, but had conspired as partners to evade customs inspections. Their method highlights the increasingly desperate and dangerous tactics used by smugglers to circumvent regulations on imported technology.
Criminal Liability for Smuggling
Chinese customs officials emphasised that under the law, any individual found to be smuggling taxable items into the country by concealing them is subject to severe penalties. If the case is deemed serious, the offenders may face criminal charges and imprisonment. Customs authorities warned the public that smuggling not only jeopardises national tax revenue but also poses significant risks to economic security.
This case has sparked widespread outrage online, particularly over the mother’s decision to prioritise illegal profits over the safety of her own child. Many netizens have condemned the woman’s actions, calling for stricter penalties to deter others from engaging in similar crimes. As China continues to crack down on smuggling syndicates, this incident serves as a chilling reminder of the lengths some individuals will go to exploit loopholes in customs enforcement.