Image copyright EPA Image caption The strawberry scare spread across Australia, where supermarkets soon pulled the fruit off shelves

A woman has been arrested in Queensland in connection with the "strawberry scare" where sewing needles were found hidden inside fruit.

Police said the 50-year-old was arrested on Sunday "following a complex... and extensive investigation".

The woman is expected to face unspecified charges on Sunday evening.

A nationwide investigation was launched after shocked shoppers first reported the contamination in September.

There were over 100 reports of needles being found in strawberries, though many were suspected to be copycat cases or social media stunts.

Farmers were forced to dump tonnes of berries, and supermarkets pulled the fruit off sale.

The first cases emerged in Queensland, where a man was taken to hospital with stomach pains after eating strawberries.

The scare spread to every Australian state and later to New Zealand, raising public alarm.

In response, Australia's government raised the maximum prison term for fruit tampering from 10 to 15 years.

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."

In Queensland, where the strawberry industry is worth A$130m (£72m; $93m) a year, the local government pledged A$1m to support the state's stricken farmers. An A$100,000 reward was offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of perpetrators.

The arrested woman, who has not been named, is set to appear in a Brisbane court on Monday.</s>A former strawberry farm supervisor retaliated over a workplace grievance by putting needles into the fruit, sparking recalls that devastated the industry in Australia, a court has heard.

Magistrate Christine Roney said that while prosecutors were alleging My Ut Trinh was “motivated by spite or revenge” she would not consider granting bail for the woman until the reasons for her actions became clearer.

While no injuries were reported from the needles, the crisis escalated to six states and neighbouring New Zealand.

Australia’s multimillion-pound strawberry industry suffered major financial losses, with fruit recalled from supermarket shelves and destroyed.

Major food distributors in New Zealand removed Australian strawberries from stores.

Detective Superintendent Jon Wacker, Drug and Serious Crime Group, is speaking to media this morning following the arrest of a 50-year-old woman in relation to the contamination of strawberries in September of this year – https://t.co/cx1ftWV5tS — Queensland Police (@QldPolice) November 11, 2018

State Crime Command Superintendent Jon Wacker told reporters before the court hearing that 230 incidents were reported nationwide, impacting 68 strawberry brands.

The scare was concentrated in Queensland state, where 77 incidents were reported, with 15 of them believed to be hoaxes or false complaints.

Trinh, 50, was the first person arrested and has been charged with seven counts of contamination of goods with intent to cause economic loss, and would face up to 10 years in jail if convicted.

A Vietnamese refugee who arrived by boat two decades ago and became an Australian citizen, Trinh was working as a supervisor of fruit pickers at the Berrylicious strawberry farm near Caboolture, north of Brisbane, when she allegedly inserted needles into the fruit between September 2 and 5, the court was told.

Prosecutor Cheryl Tesch said it would be alleged in court that DNA matching Trinh’s was found on one of the needles discovered in a strawberry.

Trinh’s lawyer Michael Cridland withdrew a bail application, but said his client was not an unacceptable flight risk. She was remanded in custody until November 22.

A police investigation into the broader crisis is continuing.</s>A former strawberry farm supervisor was accused in court Monday of retaliating over a workplace grievance by putting needles into the fruit, sparking recalls that devastated the Australian industry.

Magistrate Christine Roney said she would not consider granting bail for the woman until the reasons for her actions became clearer. Prosecutors alleged that My Ut Trinh was "motivated by spite or revenge."

While no injuries were reported from the needles, the crisis escalated to six states and neighbouring New Zealand. Australia's multimillion-dollar strawberry industry suffered major financial losses, with fruit recalled from supermarket shelves and destroyed. Major food distributors in New Zealand removed Australian strawberries from stores.

Jon Wacker, State Crime Command superintendent, told reporters before the court hearing that 230 incidents were reported across Australia, affecting 68 strawberry brands. The scare was concentrated in Queensland state, where 77 incidents were reported, 15 of which were believed to be hoaxes or false complaints.

Trinh, 50, was the first person arrested and has been charged with seven counts of contamination of goods with intent to cause economic loss. She could face up to 10 years in jail if convicted.

A Vietnamese refugee who arrived by boat two decades ago and became an Australian citizen, Trinh was working as a supervisor of fruit pickers at the Berrylicious strawberry farm near Caboolture, north of Brisbane, when she allegedly inserted needles into the fruit between Sept. 2 and 5, the court was told.

Prosecutor Cheryl Tesch said it would be alleged in court that DNA matching Trinh's was found on one of the needles discovered in a strawberry.

Trinh's lawyer, Michael Cridland, withdrew a bail application, but said his client was not an unacceptable flight risk. She was remanded in custody until Nov. 22.

Walker said the police investigation into the broader crisis was continuing.</s>Police investigating a major Australian strawberry needle contamination scare that sparked nationwide panic on Monday identified a former farm supervisor as their main suspect.

Pins and needles were found stuck into the fruit in September, leading supermarkets to pull boxes from shelves across Australia and New Zealand and forcing farmers to dump crops.

The sabotage and a rash of suspected hoaxes and copycat attacks also prompted the national government to raise criminal penalties for fruit tampering.

My Ut Trinh, 50, who worked at one of the strawberry farms where the tampered produce was grown, was arrested and charged with seven counts of contaminating goods by Queensland state police on Sunday.

She faced court on Monday and bail was denied after prosecutors said she could suffer retribution for her alleged actions, The Australian reported.

The court was told she was motivated by spite and revenge when she allegedly inserted the needles into the berries in early September, the newspaper added.

Earlier, police spoke of the challenges investigators faced as they tried to figure out the source of the contamination.

"This has probably been one of the most trying investigations that I've been part of," Detective Superintendent Jon Wacker told reporters in Brisbane.

Read: Australia's needles in strawberries crisis has reportedly spread to two more countries

Wacker said Trinh, an Australian citizen, "was a supervisor at a farm", with Queensland's Courier Mail identifying her employer as the Berrylicious and Berry Obsession farm - one of the growers at the heart of the scare.

He said police collected 230 reports nationwide of strawberry contamination affecting 68 brands, most within his state, with the majority involving sewing needles.

Some cases were also found to be "a hoax or a false complaint", Wacker added. Police had earlier questioned at least two minors over suspected hoaxes.

The Queensland Strawberry Growers Association welcomed the arrest, but noted the high number of unresolved cases, adding that the seven counts in Trinh's chargesheet suggested that most of the 230 reports were either copycat actions or hoaxes.

"It was a crisis driven by social media and the only real victims were the strawberry growers, and to some extent other Australian fruit growers and exporters," the association said in a statement.</s>SYDNEY
• An Australian court has ordered a 50-year-old farm supervisor charged in a strawberry needle contamination case, which sparked a major food scare, to stay in custody until she next appears in court.

The strawberry industry, worth A$160 million (S$159 million), was rocked in September after pins and needles were found to have been stuck into the fruit. Supermarkets pulled boxes from shelves across Australia and New Zealand, forcing farmers to dump crops amid warnings of widespread bankruptcies.

Yesterday, police said they had charged the woman, identified as My Ut Trinh in court lists, with seven cases of contamination, the first charges laid in the case.

"This has probably been one of the most trying investigations that I have been part of," Mr Jon Wacker, a police official in the largest strawberry-producing region of Queensland, where the crisis was first reported, told reporters.

Police said the woman, an Australian citizen, was a former supervisor at a berry farm of one of the brands affected, but did not say which one.

Prosecutor Cheryl Tesch opposed bail, citing concerns of witness interference and public retribution, broadcaster ABC said.

Trinh's legal representative withdrew a bail application, the Brisbane Magistrates' Court told Reuters. She is to remain in custody before her next appearance on Nov 22, court officials said.

She faces jail of up to 10 years in jail if found guilty, after the conservative government toughened sentencing in a bid to contain the crisis. Australia also criminalised hoax claims.

Queensland's Courier Mail identified Trinh's employer as the Berry-licious and Berry Obsession farm. The newspaper added that the suspect was believed to have grievances against her employer, and the police case involved discussions she allegedly had with others about seeking revenge.

Mr Wacker would not comment on what Trinh's motives may have been, but said investigators had strong evidence, including DNA.

He said police collected 230 reports nationwide of strawberry contamination affecting 68 brands, most within his state.

Police had earlier questioned at least two minors over suspected hoaxes.

Strawberry growers welcomed the charges, but blamed social media for the crisis.

"It was a crisis driven by social media and the only real victims were the strawberry growers, and to some extent other Australian fruit growers and exporters," the Queensland Strawberry Growers Association said in a statement.

It also noted the high number of unresolved cases, adding that the seven counts in Trinh's charge sheet suggested that most of the 230 reports were either copycat actions or hoaxes.

Queensland will set aside A$1 million to help farmers make it through the season, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has said.</s>My Ut Trinh being driven by police to a secure location.

SYDNEY A former farm supervisor has been identified by Queensland state police as the main suspect behind the strawberry needle contamination scare that sparked nationwide panic in Australia.

My Ut Trinh, 50, who worked at one of the strawberry farms where the tampered produce was grown, was arrested on Sunday and charged with seven counts of contaminating goods.

Pins and needles were found stuck into the fruit in September, leading supermarkets to pull boxes from shelves across Australia and New Zealand and forcing farmers to dump crops.

The sabotage and a rash of suspected hoaxes and copycat attacks also prompted the national government to raise criminal penalties for fruit tampering.

Trinh was denied bail yesterday after prosecutors said she could suffer retribution for her alleged actions, The Australian reported.

The court was told she was motivated by spite and revenge when she allegedly inserted the needles into the berries in early September.

Earlier, police spoke of the challenges investigators faced as they tried to figure out the source of the contamination.

"This has probably been one of the most trying investigations that I've been part of," Detective Superintendent Jon Wacker told reporters in Brisbane.

Supt Wacker said Trinh, an Australian citizen, "was a supervisor at a farm" which Australian papers identified as one of those at the heart of the scare.

He said police collected 230 reports nationwide of strawberry contamination affecting 68 brands. Some cases were also found to be hoaxes or false complaints, he added.

The Queensland Strawberry Growers Association welcomed the arrest and noted the hoaxes.

"It was a crisis driven by social media and the only real victims were the strawberry growers..." the association said in a statement.</s>A 50-year-old farm supervisor has been accused of intentionally planting needles in Australian strawberries, and could spend up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

In September, the repeated discovery of needles stuck inside grocery store strawberries prompted widespread alarm, caused farmers to dump massive quantities and triggered a nationwide investigation.

A spokeswoman for the Queensland Strawberry Growers Association told Australia's ABC broadcaster that police put more than 100 officers on the case. Intelligence agencies also assisted in the "complex investigation," local police say.

Now, a woman named My Ut Trinh has been charged with seven counts of contaminating goods. Because the alleged crime was "aggravated," authorities say, the offense carries a possible 10-year prison term instead of the typical maximum of three years.

The BBC reports that in total, 186 strawberries with needles were found across the country, including 15 hoaxes; it's not yet clear how many the accused woman was responsible for.

One man was hospitalized after swallowing half of a needle. At least two children encountered needles in strawberries but were unharmed.

My Ut Trinh is being held without bail.

"Ms Trinh worked as a supervisor at the Berry Licious farm, but her lawyer said she did not work picking strawberries or in the packing sheds," ABC reports. "The court heard the woman was allegedly acting out of spite and that it was an act of sabotage."

But Trinh's defense attorney argued that the prosecution had not described a specific motive for the contamination.

The Queensland Strawberry Growers Association has welcomed the arrest, and called for the alleged strawberry saboteur to be "brought to account to the full extent of the law."

But the group also noted that many reports of needles appear to have been copycats or false reports, and said that people making false claims to seek attention or financial reward should also face criminal charges.

The needle crisis was financially damaging to the country's strawberry farmers. The industry urged consumers to ensure their safety by cutting up strawberries before eating them, rather than avoid buying them altogether.

As ABC notes, some strawberry supporters and farmer fans started a social media campaign — #SmashAStrawb — to share recipes calling for sliced or smushed strawberries, which could be safely consumed.</s>Police investigating a major Australian strawberry needle contamination scare that sparked nationwide panic on Monday identified a former farm supervisor as their main suspect.

Pins and needles were found stuck into the fruit in September, leading supermarkets to pull boxes from shelves across Australia and New Zealand and forcing farmers to dump crops.

The sabotage and a rash of suspected hoaxes and copycat attacks also prompted the national government to raise criminal penalties for fruit tampering.

My Ut Trinh, 50, who worked at one of the strawberry farms where the tampered produce was grown, was arrested and charged with seven counts of contaminating goods by Queensland state police on Sunday.

"This has probably been one of the most trying investigations that I've been part of," Detective Superintendent Jon Wacker told reporters in Brisbane.

Wacker said Trinh, an Australian citizen, "was a supervisor at a farm", with Queensland's Courier Mail identifying her employer as the Berrylicious and Berry Obsession farm - one of the growers at the heart of the scare.

The newspaper added that the suspect was believed to have grievances about her employer, and the police case involved discussions she allegedly had with others about seeking revenge.

Wacker would not comment on what Trinh's motives may have been, but said investigators had "strong evidence" including DNA.

He said police collected 230 reports nationwide of strawberry contamination affecting 68 brands, most within his state, with the majority involving sewing needles.

Some cases were also found to be "a hoax or a false complaint", Wacker added.

Police had earlier questioned at least two minors over suspected hoaxes.

The Queensland Strawberry Growers Association welcomed the arrest, but noted the high number of unresolved cases, adding that the seven counts in Trinh's chargesheet suggested that most of the 230 reports were either copycat actions or hoaxes.

"It was a crisis driven by social media and the only real victims were the strawberry growers, and to some extent other Australian fruit growers and exporters," the association said in a statement.

A woman has been arrested after a "complex" investigation into an Australian strawberry scare where needles were found stuck into the fruit, police said Sunday, in a crisis that sparked nationwide panic.

Queensland state authorities offered a large reward and the national government raised jail terms for such crimes after sewing needles were found in plastic boxes of the fruit sold in supermarkets in September.

Since the first case came to light when a man was taken to hospital with stomach pains after consuming strawberries, more than 100 alleged incidents of pins and needles found in fruit, mostly strawberries, were reported in September around the country.

One incident was also reported in New Zealand.

Police said a 50-year-old woman was arrested on Sunday afternoon "following a complex... and extensive investigation" into the contamination case.

"The Queensland Police Service coordinated a national investigative response with multiple government, law enforcement and intelligence agencies," they added in a statement.

 The woman was set to be charged Sunday evening and appear in court in Brisbane on Monday.

Police did not reveal any further details, including what the charges would be or the reasons and motives behind her alleged involvement.

The sabotage crisis led supermarkets to pull the fruit from the shelves and saw farmers dump tonnes of the unwanted berry.

The government raised the maximum prison sentence for fruit tampering from 10 to 15 years.</s>SYDNEY, Australia — Police have made their first arrest in the cases of strawberry sabotage in Australia, in which sewing needles were found in fruit sold in six states.

Police in Queensland state say they’ve arrested 50-year-old My Ut Trinh and charged her with seven counts of goods contamination.

Detective John Walker of the State Crime Command said she worked in the strawberry industry near the town of Caboolture, north of Brisbane.

Brisbane’s Courier Mail newspaper reported she worked as a supervisor of fruit pickers at a strawberry farm.

She was due to appear in court Monday. Each count against her carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence.

No injuries were reported throughout the scare, but Australia’s multimillion-dollar strawberry industry was devastated after recalls of the fruit were ordered. It also spread to New Zealand, where major food distributors took Australian strawberries off supermarket shelves.

Walker said 230 incidents were reported nationwide, impacting 68 strawberry brands. The scare was concentrated in Queensland state where 77 incidents were reported, with 15 of them believed to be hoaxes or false complaints.

Walker said the investigation was continuing.

“This has probably been one of the most trying investigations that I’ve been part of. It’s a fairly unique,” he said.</s>SYDNEY: A former farm supervisor was charged in court on Monday (Nov 12) for contaminating strawberries with needles, an episode that spurred one of Australia's biggest food scares.

Australia's strawberry industry, worth A$160 million (US$116 million), was rocked in September after nearly 200 complaints were made of sewing needles found in strawberries and other fruits.

Several major supermarkets withdrew the fruit as shoppers abandoned purchases, forcing some growers to dump fruit amid warnings of widespread bankruptcies.

My Ut Trinh, an Australian citizen who worked at one of the strawberry farms where the tampered produce was grown, was arrested and charged with seven counts of contaminating goods.

Local media identified her employer as the Berrylicious and Berry Obsession farm - one of the growers at the heart of the scare.



The court was told she was motivated by spite and revenge when she allegedly inserted the needles into the berries in early September, the Australian newspaper reported.

She was denied bail after prosecutors said she could suffer retribution for her alleged actions, the report added.



"This has probably been one of the most trying investigations that I've been part of," Mr Wacker told reporters in Brisbane, the capital of Queensland state where the contamination crisis was first reported.

READ: Woman finds needle in apple following strawberry scare in Australia



Trinh faces up to 10 years in jail if found guilty after Australia's conservative government toughened sentencing in a bid to contain the crisis.

Mr Wacker said police received 186 complaints of fruit contamination, of which 15 had been found to be hoaxes.

Strawberry growers welcomed the charges but blamed social media for the crisis.

"It was a crisis driven by social media and the only real victims were the strawberry growers, and to some extent other Australian fruit growers and exporters," the Queensland Strawberry Growers Association said in a statement.

READ: Australians urged to #SmashAStrawb in support of local farmers amid needle scandal



Queensland, Australia's largest strawberry-producing region, is particularly vulnerable to a sustained downturn in the market.

State premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said on Tuesday her government would set aside A$1 million to help farmers make it through the season.
A 50-year-old former strawberry farm supervisor is arrested in Queensland in connection with 230 reports of sewing needles found hidden in strawberries. The "strawberry scare" spread throughout the country and to New Zealand, and devastated Australia’s multimillion-dollar strawberry industry.