00:00Who knew a simple jasmine flower could land a person in trouble?
00:03Malayana actress Navya Nair was stopped at the Melbourne airport in Australia
00:06and fined Rs 1.14 lakh or about 1980 Australian dollars
00:10for carrying a 15cm long jasmine flower.
00:13Navya was heading to the Onam celebrations organised by the Malayali Association of Victoria.
00:18She explained,
00:19Before I came here, it was my father who bought jasmine for me.
00:22He cut it into two parts and gave it to me.
00:24He asked me to wear one in my hair from Kochi to Singapore
00:26since it would wither by the time I reached.
00:28He told me to keep the second one in my handbag
00:31so I could wear it on the onward journey from Singapore.
00:34I put it in my carry bag.
00:35The 39-year-old admitted it was an honest mistake and stressed,
00:39Ignorance is no excuse.
00:41Officials instructed her to pay the fine within 28 days.
00:44But why is this such a big issue in Australia?
00:46According to Australia's Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry,
00:50international travellers can bring fresh-cut flowers and plant materials
00:53as long as they are declared.
00:54This means they are inspected for exotic pests and diseases
00:57by biosecurity officers at international airports and seaports.
01:01On the incoming passenger arrival card,
01:03travellers must declare food, plant and animal products,
01:06firearms, weapons, ammunition,
01:07large amounts of currency, $10,000 or equivalent,
01:10and substances like cannabis.
01:12If unsure, travellers should declare goods
01:14or ask an Australian Border Force officer.
01:16Declaring doesn't always mean your baggage will be examined,
01:19but failure to declare these materials
01:21can lead to fines up to $6,600,
01:23criminal prosecution or even visa cancellation.
01:26These rules exist to protect Australia's agriculture from biosecurity risks.
01:31A simple flower might seem harmless,
01:33but in Australia, it's serious business.
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