The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has intercepted 40 undeclared iPhones valued at approximately KSh8.2 million at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
The smartphones, comprising iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models, were recovered from a male passenger who arrived in Kenya from Dubai on Thursday, October 1.
According to KRA, customs officers discovered the devices during a routine screening of the passenger’s luggage at Terminal 1A International Arrivals.
The phones had been concealed among assorted items and distributed across three small suitcases and a backpack.
The authority revealed that the passenger had made several trips between Kenya and Dubai within nine days before the interception.
Investigations showed that he entered Kenya on September 15 and left two days later before returning on September 19. He departed the following day.
He subsequently entered the country on September 21 and left on September 22 before returning again on September 23.
During questioning, the passenger reportedly admitted that he was transporting the phones on behalf of a client based in Dubai.
He had initially informed customs officers that he was passing through Kenya by road to a neighbouring country.
However, officers reviewed his passport and travel history, raising questions about his frequent movements between the two countries.
KRA confirmed that the seized smartphones had been transferred to the Customs Warehouse pending clearance and verification.
The authority also reminded travellers to declare goods subject to customs regulations, warning against transporting undeclared items on behalf of other people.
The latest seizure comes less than two weeks after KRA intercepted smuggled goods worth KSh46.7 million from a passenger bus on September 18.
The consignment, which was reportedly destined for Nairobi, was also seized as part of the authority’s efforts to combat smuggling and enforce customs regulations.