State sues food importer over fruit fly danger

By Associated Press | Monday, July 21, 2008 6:55 PM PDT ∞

SACRAMENTO ---- California is seeking nearly $1.7 million from an import company for allegedly smuggling fruit that could contain a harmful pest.

The lawsuit alleges that New Jersey-based Bombino Express Worldwide imported unmarked packages of mangoes and yams from India that had not been treated to kill the Oriental fruit fly.

"It's not just a basket of mangoes," California Attorney General Jerry Brown said Monday. "It's the potential of introducing a lethal, expansive pest that can wreck California crops."

The Oriental fruit fly embeds itself and reproduces quickly in crops. It has been a problem in Hawaii, said Gareth Lacy, spokesman for the California Attorney General's Office.

Agriculture officials estimated that it could cost $176 million in crop losses if the fly spreads to California.

The state attorney general's office says an agriculture inspection dog sniffed out the fruit near Southern California's Ontario International Airport in April 2007.

The suit was filed July 9 in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Lacy said Bombino Express had labeled the fruit boxes as "ladies apparel" or "business material."

As such, the importer was able to import the mangoes much more quickly because the fruit did not go through the irradiation process that kills bugs, Lacy said.

Company Chief Executive Officer Mohmed Yasin Latiwala told the AP he was surprised by the lawsuit because he has been cooperating with investigators.

"Nothing of this sort should come into this country," Latiwala said. "I made sure all the proper precautions are taken."

Bombino Express also has an office in Hawthorne.

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