Australia says helps weed out global plant scam
© 2001 Reuters
July 25, 2001
CANBERRA - Six people were arrested in Los Angeles after an international investigation into an alleged multi-million dollar orchid and cycad smuggling operation, the Australian government said yesterday.
Environment Minister Robert Hill said border and wildlife agencies from several countries joined forces in the endangered plant investigation, which spanned the United States, Australia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
"Those arrested are believed to be supplying and facilitating the world-wide smuggling of endangered plant species," Hill said in a statement.
Australian authorities said the six people arrested included a 47-year-old Australian man from the state of Queensland, adding that several properties in Queensland were raided.
A spokeswoman for the Australian Customs Service said no further details were available.
A cycad is a tall, palmlike plant inhabiting tropical and subtropical regions.