Doctors were shocked to find that a woman, suffering from a cardiac arrest, had 26 iPhones glued to her body.
Importing tech into Brazil can be a lucrative business. Due to incredibly high import tax, foreign-made electronics, such as the iPhone, can be sold for a lot if bought abroad and sold domestically. An iPhone 16 in the US will set you back about $1,500. However, in Brazil, it will cost a staggering $2,800.
So, people smuggle the phones into the country for resale. This is why the woman in Brazil was found to have 26 phones glued to her body, possibly leading to her death. Her luggage was also found to be full of more imported Phones.
Flying from Foz do Iguaçu to São Paulo, the woman carried the iPhones on her body and in her luggage. However, emergency services were called when she reportedly began suffering from shortness of breath and eventually cardiac arrest.
Despite the best efforts of the emergency services, the woman lost her life, with her body covered in 26 iPhones.
Filmed on iPhone
At present, there isn’t a lot known about the cause of death for the woman. Initial reports state that the investigation is ongoing. Paraná Civil Police made a statement to NDTV World. “The Paraná Civil Police are investigating the case and awaiting the conclusion of forensic reports to clarify the cause of death. According to preliminary information, the woman, who was alone, was traveling from Foz do Iguaçu to São Paulo. The 26 iPhones that were glued to her body were seized and sent to the Federal Revenue Service.”
Sniffer dogs were used, but no traces of drugs were found on her body, just the 26 iPhones.
People will do all sorts of things for money, but it’s not usually tech that is smuggled over borders. But, with the high taxation on imported goods to Brazil, it’s become a roaring trade. The Brazilian government prefers its citizens to buy local, encouraging people to support the country’s domestic industry.
However, marketing does what marketing does, and despite the obscene prices for an iPhone, people will still try to get their hands on one.