Latest news with #KirstenMaeFearn
1News
6 days ago
- 1News
Australian Customs make prickly find in lingerie package
A woman has been caught red-handed after Australian customs officers made a prickly discovery when opening packages purporting to contain lingerie and shoes. Kirsten Mae Fearn pleaded guilty to 14 biosecurity charges at Brisbane Magistrates Court in July after she repeatedly imported illegal plants to sell online. Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry officers cottoned on to the scheme after packages arrived in Sydney via air cargo from Hong Kong between February 2021 and March 2024. The packages were declared to contain lingerie and shoes but when they were opened, biosecurity officers found 57 cacti and succulents. Investigators then found another 50 illegal succulents at Fearn's Brisbane home nursery. ADVERTISEMENT Deputy Secretary of Biosecurity, Operations and Compliance Justine Saunders said Fearn was repeatedly warned about the behaviour but she continued the illegal activity. "The department elected to deal with this via criminal prosecution because of the seriousness of the matter," Saunders said. "Our biosecurity laws are vital to the health of Australia's economy and environment. "Those who risk Australia's environment by deliberately trying to bypass our strict requirements will be caught and face the consequences." A succulent found at Kirsten Mae Fearn's home nursery. (Source: Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) During court proceedings, Fearn admitted to the ongoing illegal false declarations and importation of the plants, which she intended to sell online through her business. She faced a maximum penalty of 10 years' jail and a AU$600,000 (NZ$658,693) fine. ADVERTISEMENT After pleading guilty on July 25, Fearn was sentenced to six months' imprisonment and released immediately on a Recognisance Release Order, meaning she was required to agree to certain court conditions. Saunders said this should serve as a warning to prevent others from importing biosecurity threats at Australian borders or in mailrooms. "Australia has an enviable biosecurity record," she said. "We protect this through education and targeted regulation. We all need to play our part in keeping Australia safe."
The Guardian
7 days ago
- The Guardian
Brisbane woman sentenced to prison for importing illegal cacti and plants in fake lingerie packages
A Queensland woman caught importing illegal cacti and other plants in packages purporting to contain lingerie and shoes has been sentenced to six months in prison. Kirsten Mae Fearn pleaded guilty to 14 biosecurity charges at Brisbane magistrates court in July after she repeatedly imported illegal plants to sell online. Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry officers discovered the scheme after packages arrived in Sydney via air cargo from Hong Kong between February 2021 and March 2024. Sign up: AU Breaking News email The packages were declared to contain lingerie and shoes but when they were opened, biosecurity officers found 57 cacti and succulents. Investigators then found another 50 illegal succulents at Fearn's Brisbane home nursery. The deputy secretary of Biosecurity, Operations and Compliance, Justine Saunders, said Fearn was repeatedly warned about the behaviour but she continued the illegal activity. 'The department elected to deal with this via criminal prosecution because of the seriousness of the matter,' Saunders said. 'Our biosecurity laws are vital to the health of Australia's economy and environment. 'Those who risk Australia's environment by deliberately trying to bypass our strict requirements will be caught and face the consequences.' During court proceedings, Fearn admitted to the ongoing illegal false declarations and importation of the plants, which she intended to sell online through her business. She faced a maximum penalty of 10 years' jail and a $600,000 fine. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion After pleading guilty on 25 July, Fearn was sentenced to six months' imprisonment but she was released immediately on a recognisance release order, meaning she was required to agree to certain court conditions. Saunders said this should serve as a warning to others who import biosecurity threats. 'Australia has an enviable biosecurity record,' she said. 'We protect this through education and targeted regulation. We all need to play our part in keeping Australia safe.'
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
Online plant seller sentenced to jail after secret find in 'lingerie and shoe' package
An online nursery owner has been sentenced to jail after her haul of 57 exotic plants flown in from China was intercepted in Sydney. A picture supplied to Yahoo News shows dozens of cacti and succulents lined up on a table after they were seized by biosecurity officers. The Department of Agriculture (DAF) revealed packages containing the plants were illegally mislabelled as containing shoes and lingerie. There are strict biosecurity laws when it comes to importing goods into Australia, and accurate declarations about a package's contents must be made. On Tuesday, DAF revealed details of the investigation that led to Queensland woman Kirsten Mae Fearn pleading guilty to 14 biosecurity charges in Brisbane Magistrates Court in July. On multiple occasions, between 2021 and 2024, DAF officers intercepted plants addressed to Fearn, which they allege she intended to sell through her Rockford Plant House business. But the charges specifically related to packages that were sent from Hong Kong in November, 2023. An additional 50 succulents were later seized from the woman's home nursery. She was sentenced to six months in prison and was immediately released on a Recognizance Release Order, similar to a good behaviour bond. Illegal plants pose danger to Australia's environment DAF's deputy secretary of biosecurity, Justine Saunders, said attempts were made to 'educate' the woman, but her 'illegal activity' continued, so a decision was made to pursue a criminal prosecution in the courts. 'Our biosecurity laws are vital to the health of Australia's economy and environment,' she said. 'Those who risk Australia's environment by deliberately trying to bypass our strict requirements will be caught and face the consequences.' Incredible and 'rare' phenomenon on rugged Aussie beach vanishes within 24 hours Signs of million-year-old ancient humans found on Australia's doorstep Solution to Great Barrier Reef problem as new report released People illegally importing plants into Australia can face serious consequences because they can carry pests that threaten the environment and agricultural industries. Penalties can be up to 10 years in jail and a $660,000 fine. Anyone with information about breaches to biosecurity is urged to contact 1800 798 636. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
