More people caught trying to sneak plants, soil past Customs
Published on Dec 9, 2011
-- ST PHOTO ILLUSTRATION
By Jessica Lim
Exotic plants are being smuggled into the country by growing numbers of Singaporeans - some of whom may not even realise they are breaking the law.
Bargain hunters often buy flowers or shrubs abroad, then bring them home along with fertiliser and bags of potting material such as soil.
There were 639 cases of these items being brought in illegally between January and October, up from 597 in the same period last year.
This year's haul amounted to 1,267 plants and 3,733kg of organic fertiliser and potting medium - which can also include peat moss and coconut husks - said the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA).
BACKGROUND STORY
NUMBERS UP
-- ST PHOTO ILLUSTRATION
By Jessica Lim
Exotic plants are being smuggled into the country by growing numbers of Singaporeans - some of whom may not even realise they are breaking the law.
Bargain hunters often buy flowers or shrubs abroad, then bring them home along with fertiliser and bags of potting material such as soil.
There were 639 cases of these items being brought in illegally between January and October, up from 597 in the same period last year.
This year's haul amounted to 1,267 plants and 3,733kg of organic fertiliser and potting medium - which can also include peat moss and coconut husks - said the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA).
BACKGROUND STORY
NUMBERS UP
- More cases
- Thousands of plants
- Hot species
- Costly penalty
Anyone found illegally importing plants, potting medium and organic fertiliser can be fined up to $1,000.
Read the full story in Friday's edition of The Straits Times.
