Ahmedabad buzzed with excitement on Friday as an online auction of seized iPhones and luxury watches drew hundreds of eager participants. Conducted by Airport Customs, the e-auction took place on the MSTCL portal, showcasing a total of 87 iPhones and 27 premium foreign watches that were confiscated due to smuggling operations at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport from 2019 to 2023.
The auction featured various models ranging from the iPhone 11 to the latest iPhone 15 series, along with Apple Watch Series 6 devices. And while bidding officially began at 1 PM and was set to end at 5 PM, intense competition kept bidders engaged well into the evening.
Many buyers arrived early at the airport for a physical inspection of the items before joining the online bidding war. This marked Ahmedabad’s first significant Customs auction in nearly a decade, drawing not only traders but also tech enthusiasts hunting for deals.
Bids soared dramatically over multiple lots. The initial lot attracted an impressive 265 bids before closing at ₹5.18 lakh. However, it was the second lot that captured attention by receiving 205 bids and reaching ₹13.06 lakh—though officials noted this lot did not meet its minimum reserve price, leaving its fate undecided.
Customs officials hinted that another large-scale auction could follow soon, as approximately 158 additional seized mobile phones await government approval for sale.