A “complex” investigation into an Australian strawberry scare where needles were found stuck into strawberries, has led to the arrest of the 50-year-old woman after the incident sparked nationwide panic.
The lady was arrested after a man was taken to hospital with stomach pains after consuming strawberries and reports of 100 alleged incidents of pins and needles found in fruit, mostly strawberries around the country.
Queensland state authorities offered a large reward and the national government raised jail terms for such crimes from from 10 to 15 years after sewing needles, were found in plastic boxes of the fruit sold in supermarkets in September.
The 50-year-old woman who is expected to face unspecified charges after her arrest on Sunday evening, will be arraigned before a Brisbane court on Monday.
“The (Queensland Police Service) coordinated a national investigative response with multiple government, law enforcement and intelligence agencies,” they added in a statement.
It was gathered that the incident made supermarkets pull strawberries from the shelves, and saw farmers dump tonnes of the unwanted berry. Prime Minister Scott Morrison vowed to “throw the book” at anyone responsible, saying: “It’s not funny, putting the livelihoods of hard-working Australians at risk, and you are scaring children. And you are a coward and a grub.”
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