As a recent trend, cross-border smugglers have turned their attention to PC parts, a departure from their usual modus operandi of smuggling cell phones. In fact, even long-distance drivers have been spotted strapping CPUs to their bodies to smuggle them across the border. This has reached desperate levels as chip shortages continue to be a feature of modern industry.

In one instance, Hong Kong customs officials seized two drivers crossing the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge on June 16. The driver and co-driver were acting quite suspiciously, and were soon discovered to be literally walking techie to the elbow.

The two were attempting to smuggle a total of 256 Intel Core i7 10700 and Core i9 10900K CPUs across the border.

Yet another CPU smuggling attempt, possibly related to the initial smuggling, was intercepted at the same crossing just 10 days later. This time, 52 Intel chips were stuffed between the front seats and spotted by scanners. The total value of the related cases is estimated at approximately $128,700.

And just a few days ago, Hong Kong Customs reported that they "seized at one time goods suspected to be contraband at the Lok Ma Chau Control Point." Among them were more than 2,200 CPUs, 1,000 RAM sticks, and 630 or so smartphones ...... Oh, and there were cosmetics included. All of this equipment was contained in a crate filled haphazardly with electronic components. The value of the equipment amounted to approximately $4 million.

This trend of computer hardware smuggling is likely to continue, as the price of PC components has become increasingly inflated and parts are extremely hard to come by. However, as Hong Kong Customs points out, with "fines of up to $2 million and seven years in prison," it is not surprising that these men are nervous.

I was a little disappointed that neither of the recent busts involved computer parts strapped to their bodies, but then again, you can't have everything.