Woman Fined $500 At Minneapolis Airport Because Of An Apple

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — A woman flying home from Paris received a $500 fine from U.S. Customs and Border Patrol at the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport because of an apple she had in her bag.

Crystal Tadlock, who was traveling from Paris to Colorado, told FOX 31 towards the end of her first flight plane attendants handed out apples to customers in plastic Delta Airlines bags. Tadlock wasn't hungry yet and decided to save the snack for later.

When the apple turned up in a random search from a customs agent, she was given a $500 fine.

"He had asked me if my trip to France was expensive and I said, ‘Yeah.’ I didn’t really get why he was asking that question, and then he said, 'It’s about to get a lot more expensive after I charge you $500,'" Tadlock told the TV station.

"It’s really unfortunate someone has to go through that and be treated like a criminal over a piece of fruit."

A Delta spokesperson told the Washington Post it encourages customers to "adhere to Customs and Border Protection policies and requirements." Another Delta official said snacks are given to customers with the intention they will eat them aboard the plane.

U.S. Customs told the newspaper that "all agriculture items must be declared."

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