BEIJING – Chinese authorities have busted a criminal gang that allegedlyused drones to smuggle iPhones and other smartphones worth almost $80million between Hong Kong and Shenzen, according to state media.

Chinese customs officials told state media the suspects used drones tosuspend two, 200-metre cables between buildings on either side of theborder and used them to smuggle up to 15,000 devices a night, CNN reported.

Bags loaded with smartphones were attached to the cables and pulled overfrom Hong Kong to neighbouring Shenzhen.

The customs officials said this was the first case they had come acrosswhere drones were used to smuggle goods, according to state media.

The gang was busted in February during a joint operation mounted byauthorities in the two cities.

China has increased its efforts to regulate the use of drones across thecountry. Last year, the government introduced new rules, including arequirement for drones over a certain weight to be registered under thereal names of their owners.