Traveller smuggling bad seeds into Melbourne Airport was caught out when fellow passenger heard him reveal plans on FaceTime
- A passenger flying into Melbourne has been caught trying to smuggle seeds
- Authorities notified after the man was heard talking about the plan on Facetime
- Man was given a fine and an investigation is also being conducted by officials
An airplane passenger has been caught trying to smuggle seeds into Melbourne Airport after a fellow passenger alerted biosecurity officials.
The passenger heard the man discussing his plan over FaceTime before the plane boarded, according to the Herald Sun.
Authorities were waiting for the man when the passengers disembarked at Melbourne Airport and found 120 grams of seeds which included rockmelon, tomato, watermelon, and cucumber.
An airplane passenger has been caught trying to smuggle seeds into Melbourne Airport after a fellow passenger alerted biosecurity officials (stock image)
The federal Department of Agriculture and Water Resources is conducting an investigation into the matter.
‘This is a great example of one member of the public doing their part to help keep a significant biosecurity risk out of Australia,’ said the Department’s deputy secretary for biosecurity, Lyn O’Connell.
An on the spot fine was given to the man for the undeclared seeds that can compromise Australia’s farming industry by contaminating crops.
An on the spot fine was given to the man for the undeclared seeds that can compromise Australia’s farming industry by contaminating crops
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