Australian border busts: Live leeches, wallaby meat among bizarre items smuggled into country

Live leeches, a whole leg of ham with the trotter still attached and a cricket bat infested with wood borers were among the bizarre items Australian biosecurity officers intercepted in the post in 2022. Frontline staff seized more than 32,800 biosecurity risk items at mail centres in 2022 and another 238,000 at airports, according to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Six international travellers — including two who arrived in Perth — had their visas cancelled for not declaring items and were among 861 visitors slapped with fines of $2664. Meat items intercepted at Perth included non-commercially packaged beef, dried and powdered shrimp, fish noodle paste, chicken and other “unknown materials”. Another passenger had their visa cancelled and was fined after trying to smuggle eggs, a cob of corn and home-grown “dried vegetable material” into Australia — all of which was hidden in commercial packaging. DAFF biosecurity and compliance deputy secretary Chris Locke said most people did the right thing but some were still prepared to threaten Australia’s biosecurity by smuggling in high-risk goods. “Some of the risk material people tried to bring into the country through the post included a whole leg of ham with the trotter still on, live leeches, a wooden cricket bat with live borers and wallaby meat,” Dr Locke said. “Our biosecurity officers also found brown marmorated stink bugs in the mail and in people’s luggage, and live khapra beetle larvae on cardamom pods. “The Australian Government takes these threats to our biosecurity very seriously.” The khapra beetle — a tiny insect that infests stored produce such as grain shipments or silos — is of particular concern to farmers. The highly invasive pest, which is native to India, is considered by the DAFF to be Australia’s second most threatening plant pest. The marmorated stink bug is another massive threat, capable of devastating vegetable and fruit crops including apples, beans, citrus, corn, figs, grapes, peaches, pears, raspberries, soybeans and tomatoes. Australian authorities are also on high alert against the growing threats of foot-and-mouth disease, African swine fever and lumpy skin disease. In November, the Federal Government introduced the highest ever fines for endangering Australia’s biosecurity system, which took effect on January 1, as part of sweeping amendments to the Biosecurity Act 2015. “People who attempt to conceal high risk goods, including within their luggage, could face civil penalties of up to 1200 penalty units or $266,400,” Dr Locke said. Those hit with an infringement will be out of pocket up to $4440 — nearly $2000 more than previously issued. Aircraft and vessel operators who flout the rules face sanctions of up to $222,000 for an individual or $1.1 million for corporate bodies. Federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt said biosecurity threats were increasing because of “a rise in the complexity of trade, the effects of climate change and the ever-increasing worldwide spread of pests and diseases”. “The new measures will strengthen Australia’s biosecurity system, helping to protect our $70.3 billion agricultural export industries, protect 1.6 million jobs across the agriculture supply chain and protect our way of life,” he said. “Under the previous penalties scheme, individuals who attempted to conceal high risk goods, including within their luggage, were subject to the same penalties as individuals who conducted less serious behaviour. “This may include actions such as sewing goods into the lining of their suitcase or placing goods within a container with incorrect markings or labels.”