A Chinese student was arrested after he tried to smuggle 59 iPads into Shanghai from Australia, on the same day the company put its new tablet computers on sale.
The student, whose name and age were not revealed, arrived at Shanghai Pudong International Airport from Melbourne around 9 p.m. March 16, the day Apple first put its third-generation iPad on sale worldwide.
The person was carrying four big suitcases alone, which drew the attention of customs inspectors. An X-ray test showed there were 59 new Apple tablet computers inside, the Shanghai Daily reported Thursday.
The accused said he was studying in Australia and had found this part-time job (smuggling of goods) online. He took up the business because he flew back home frequently.
The student also told customs officers he had been temporarily hired by a gang whose main job was to purchase, transport and sell smuggled products.