Fruit ‘not declared’

Press, 1 August 1989, Page 27

Fruit ‘not declared’

A woman who brought nine pieces of underclared fruit into New Zealand from Singapore on an international flight was convicted and fined on two charges in the District Court yesterday. Appearing for the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Mr John Sandston told the Court that Sabine Maurer had arrived at Christchurch airport on February 19 from Singapore. A customs declaration recorded that

Maurer had no fruit in her luggage. A search of her luggage revealed nine pieces of fruit. Mr Sandston said these included a mango, three Malay apples and three guavas. When questioned by a Ministry official, Maurer did not give a satisfactory reason why she had not declared the fruit. She later admitted she knew the fruit was in her luggage but did not declare it. The fruit was for her

own use. Maurer has since left New Zealand. Judge Holderness convicted and fined the defendant $125 and costs on the charge of making a false declaration and $75 and costs on the charge of introducing unauthorised plant material into New Zealand. Maurer had not pleaded to the charges and the Ministry formally proved them in the court yesterday.