Australia: $2,000 fine for transporting McMuffins

UA traveler arriving in Australia from Indonesia has been fined nearly US$2,000 after he was caught with two McMuffins and a ham croissant in his backpack by border guards. Sniffer dog Zinta was quick to sniff out the sandwiches smuggled into Darwin airport in Australia, earning the traveler a hefty fine, authorities said on Monday 1^er august.

“This will be the most expensive McDonald’s meal this passenger has ever had” in his life, Australian Agriculture Minister Murray Watt said. Australia has very strict biosecurity legislation to protect the country’s important agricultural industry from potential pests or diseases.

Australian authorities are currently on high alert following an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Indonesia, and all meat imports from that country are being checked. This disease poses no risk to humans, but remains a serious and highly contagious viral disease for livestock. The fine of AU$2,664 is equivalent to the cost of 567 McMuffins in Sydney, or several return flights to Bali.

A passenger returning from Bali has just had the most expensive Maccas meal ever, with a $2664 fine after not declaring McMuffins & other meat products on arrival. If you do the wrong thing, you will be caught. Help keep Australia FMD-free. pic.twitter.com/gU2IS9tlMh

— Senator Murray Watt (@MurrayWatt) August 1, 2022