Ahmedabad: The city saw a huge excitement among gadget buyers on Friday as hundreds participated in an online auction of seized iPhones and luxury watches conducted by Airport Customs.

The e-auction, held through the MSTCL portal, featured 87 iPhones and 27 premium foreign watches confiscated in smuggling-related cases at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport between 2019 and 2023. The lots included iPhone 11 to iPhone 15 series models along with Apple Watch Series 6 devices.

Customs officials said the auction received an overwhelming response, with bidding continuing late into the evening despite the scheduled timing of 1 pm to 5 pm. Many interested buyers also visited the airport earlier for physical inspection of the items before joining the online bidding process.

Sources said this was Ahmedabad’s first major Customs auction in nearly 10 years, attracting traders, gadget enthusiasts, and bargain hunters in large numbers.

Officials said intense bidding competition was witnessed across multiple lots. The first lot drew 265 bids before closing at Rs 5.18 lakh, while the second lot received 205 bids and reached Rs 13.06 lakh. However, Customs officials clarified that the second lot did not meet the department’s reserve price, and the auction for that lot remains pending.

Sources added that another large auction may soon be conducted, as around 158 more seized mobile phones are currently awaiting government approval for disposal through auction. DeshGujarat