Aussie traveller cops $2,664 fine for smuggling sausage McMuffins into Darwin

A traveller has been busted trying to smuggle their brekky out of Bali to enjoy back in Australia, accumulating a hefty fine in the process.

Darwin’s new biosecurity detector dog Zinta sniffed out some undeclared meat on a passenger arriving from Indonesia, according to a statement from the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt.

Zinta responded to a passenger’s backpack and after further inspection, it was found they were carrying a variety of risk items including two egg and beef sausage McMuffins from a McDonalds in Bali and a ham croissant.

The seized meat products will be tested for foot and mouth disease (FMD) before they are destroyed.

Watt said Zinta sniffed out the significant biosecurity breach last week and the returning passenger has been issued with a $2,664 infringement notice.

“This will be the most expensive Maccas meal this passenger ever has, this fine is twice the cost of an airfare to Bali, but I have no sympathy for people who choose to disobey Australia’s strict biosecurity measures, and recent detections show you will be caught,” Watt said.

“Australia is FMD-free, and we want it to stay that way.

“Zinta was placed at Darwin Airport as part of the Albanese Government’s tough new biosecurity defences, and it’s excellent to see she is already contributing to keeping the country safe.

“Biosecurity is no joke—it helps protect jobs, our farms, food and supports the economy. Passengers who choose to travel need to make sure they are fulfilling the conditions to enter Australia, by following all biosecurity measures.”

Last month the Albanese Government announced a new $14 million biosecurity package to protect Aussie livestock from an FMD outbreak in Bali.

The government has also rolled out biosecurity dogs at Darwin and Cairns airports, sanitation foot mats at all international airports, along with support on the ground for Indonesia and neighbouring countries.