LINE

Text:AAAPrint
Society

HK woman's lemon smuggling scuttles visit to New Zealand

1
2016-03-24 13:35Xinhua Editor: Gu Liping

A traveller from Hong Kong was turned back when she arrived in New Zealand -- for attempting to smuggle six lemons, New Zealand bio-security officials said Thursday.

The woman had deliberately hidden the lemons in her trousers when she arrived at Auckland Airport on Monday, said a statement from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).

Border officials refused entry to the woman after "intercepting" the lemons, which were sniffed out by a bio-security detector dog when the woman arrived on a flight from Hong Kong.

"She had failed to declare she was carrying any food on her official arrival card, but was found to have the lemons concealed at the top of her pants," MPI manager north passenger and mail Craig Hughes said in the statement.

"Her excuse was that the lemons were good for her liver and other illnesses. That may be true, but it doesn't justify endangering New Zealand's horticulture industry by illegally bringing in fruit that could harbor pests or diseases."

As a result of the find, immigration officials refused the woman entry permission to the country and she was forced to return to Hong Kong on the next available flight.

"This is an example of MPI and Immigration New Zealand working closely together to curtail bio-security offences at the border," said Hughes.

"We want to send a strong message to smugglers who show contempt for our bio-security rules."

  

Related news

MorePhoto

Most popular in 24h

MoreTop news

MoreVideo

News
Politics
Business
Society
Culture
Military
Sci-tech
Entertainment
Sports
Odd
Features
Biz
Economy
Travel
Travel News
Travel Types
Events
Food
Hotel
Bar & Club
Architecture
Gallery
Photo
CNS Photo
Video
Video
Learning Chinese
Learn About China
Social Chinese
Business Chinese
Buzz Words
Bilingual
Resources
ECNS Wire
Special Coverage
Infographics
Voices
LINE
Back to top Links | About Us | Jobs | Contact Us | Privacy Policy
Copyright ©1999-2018 Chinanews.com. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.