Chinese customs intercepted an individual attempting to smuggle 420 M.2 Solid-State Drives (SSDs) into mainland China.

This incident was first reported by the Chinese media outlet HKEPC. The smuggler was caught while attempting to transport the hardware from Macau to Zhuhai via the Gongbei Port, a route frequently exploited by traffickers due to its geographical convenience. The SSDs seized during the operation are estimated to have a total value of approximately $32,984.94. Smuggling of hardware from regions such as Macau and Hong Kong is often motivated by the prospect of avoiding Chinese customs duties. These activities allow for greater profits when reselling the goods on online platforms like Goofish. China's substantial grey market for consumer electronics and computer hardware suggests that smuggling activities will persist.

Interestingly, this smuggling attempt deviates from the norm, as traffickers usually prefer to transport more expensive items like processors or graphics cards. A recent case involved an attempt to conceal 70 graphics cards among a shipment of live lobsters weighing 617 pounds. Despite their lower cost compared to processors or graphics cards, M.2 SSDs have become an emerging target for smuggling into China. An earlier incident this year involved the confiscation of 84 SSDs hidden within a scooter.

Metallic components within M.2 SSDs make them difficult to smuggle past metal detectors without raising suspicion. In this particular incident, the smuggler bypassed packaging and taped the drives directly to his body to maximize the quantity transported. The intercepted haul included 420 M.2 drives, each estimated to be worth an average of $78.53, suggesting the potential for 1TB or 2TB PCIe 4.0 drives.

Man Arrested with 420 M.2 SSDs Concealed on His Person