Popular Malayalam actress Navya Nair has recently witnessed this firsthand in Australia, when she was fined ₹1.14 lakh for unknowingly carrying jasmine flowers in her handbag.
Navya had traveled to Melbourne to attend the Onam celebration. At a security check at Melbourne Airport, officials found the flowers in her bag and promptly apprehended her.
Under Australia’s strict biosecurity regulations, taking flowers, fruits, seeds, or plant products into the country is strictly prohibited to safeguard local agriculture and the environment. Even though Navya clarified that it was an mistake, the authorities fined her heavily.
The actress said about the incident, she never thought carrying jasmine flowers would cost her so much money. The news of the fine has gone viral as well on social media.