Lemon smuggler sent home

An incoming passenger from Hong Kong was refused entry into New Zealand by border officials after a biosecurity detector dog sniffed out lemons concealed in her pants at Auckland Airport. The passenger was returned to Hong Kong on the next available flight.

KVH strongly supports the action taken by Immigration NZ and MPI which sends a firm message to those who deliberately smuggle high-risk food items into NZ.

Lemons from offshore can harbour unwanted pests like fruit fly, which would have a devastating impact on New Zealand’s horticulture industries if it were to enter and establish here.

Read MPI’s press release here.