72 orchid seedlings failed to pass customs control at Tomsk airport

72 plants with roots were found by Kemerovo customs officers in the luggage of a female passenger during customs control of a Phuket (Thailand) – Tomsk international flight.

A container of orchids was tried to be found in the luggage of a female passenger

A 56-year-old resident of Seversk was trying to import orchid seedlings into Russia. The air passenger did not have an export phytosanitary certificate for the exotic plant seedlings. She did not know that the planting material belongs to regulated products, being a potential source of pests, and is subject to prohibitions and restrictions on import to Russia. She bought the plants in a store on Phuket Island for their further planting in the ground at home

The Kemerovo Customs initiated administrative proceedings against the violator under Article 16.2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation (non-declaration of goods). The goods were seized by an employee of the Rosselkhoznadzor Directorate for the Novosibirsk and Tomsk regions