A WOMAN convicted of illegally importing 62 tonnes of pork and other animal protein from Thailand has escaped a jail sentence, instead being given an Intensive Correction Order to be served in the community.

The foodstuffs, comprising pork meat – a high-risk source of Foot & Mouth Disease – plus prawns, frogs and insect-infested fruit and vegetables – were deliberately misdeclared in import documents. The produce was being sold on Sydney’s black market.

The offending included product substitution and the presentation of false and misleading documents to evade biosecurity controls, the court heard.

Samples from the 62t of illegally-imported pork, frog meat, prawns and produce that led to the woman’s convition

On 11 June, the Judge convicted the un-named woman on nine counts against the Biosecurity Act 2015 and she was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment, to be served by way of an Intensive Corrections Order. The NSW Corrective Services website describes an ICO as a custodial sentence of up two years that the court decides can be served in the community.

The offender was also ordered to serve 150 hours of Community Service.

A confidential source tipped off the Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries about the prolific amount of prohibited food from Thailand available on the black market in Sydney.

Operation Torch identified the woman, and the department intervened to ensure the goods were seized and the biosecurity risk was mitigated.

DAFF deputy secretary of biosecurity, compliance and operations, Justine Saunders said Australia’s biosecurity rules and practices were among the strictest in the world.

“Individuals can face up to ten years in jail and up to $1.6 million in fines if they breach our biosecurity laws,” Ms Saunders said.

The importation of such a large amount of food from Thailand, some of it infested with live pests, presented numerous biosecurity risks to Australia, she said.

“Australia is free from many of the pests, weeds and diseases that impact agricultural productivity and the environment in other parts of the world. Our biosecurity officers work tirelessly to keep these pests out.”

“Illegal activity can undermine Australia’s animal, plant and human health status and our excellent global reputation.”

Source: DAFF