A multisectoral team dismantled an illegal iPhone cell phone assembly factory in Maputo City. On that occasion, 1165 pirated mobile phones were seized.
The factory had the ability to carry out complex technical procedures, such as assembly, assignment of the e-mail series, the main condition for handling the device. Various material used by counterfeiters was seized at the site.
Mozambique Customs say they were able to track the individuals through a tip.
"We received a complaint that led to distrust, so we called our operational lines to ascertain the veracity and, after three weeks of investigation, we discovered this small factory, where 1165 cases of iPhone brand cell phones were seized”, explained Gino Jone, director of the Operative Area of Customs of Mozambique, in Maputo City, adding that “they have a store in Alto Maé, at Rua Irmãos Rubi".
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The director reveals that there are suspicions that some cell phones are the result of theft.
"These mobile phones were introduced without a license from the National Institute of Communications of Mozambique and much less customs declaration. Therefore, it is also smuggling, because there is no document that justifies the importation and placing of these mobile phones on the market”, explained Jon.
Gino Jone details that, still in the investigation process, the National Institute of Communications of Mozambique tried to trace the devices, but without success.
"INCM colleagues did some tests on the devices to detect the frequency of these mobile phones, but it was not possible. Therefore, we think it is likely that it is through the installation boxes of mobile phones that they managed to block so that colleagues could not carry out the tracking.".
The factory's owners are of Chinese origin and, when confronted, deny the accusations.
The goods, according to Mozambican Customs, will be submitted to the Attorney General's Office for subsequent steps, while the two alleged counterfeiters respond to Mozambican justice.
