They say there's no such thing as a free lunch and Crystal Tadlock is learning that lesson the hard way.
According to a report from Fox 31 Denver, the Colorado woman was on her way back to the United States after a trip to Paris, France when flight attendants began passing out apples in a plastic bags as a snack. Tadlock says she stored the fruit in her carry-on for later, in case she got hungry during the second leg of her trip.
But when she arrived in the U.S., agents pulled her aside for a random screening and discovered the apple in the plastic bag with Delta's logo on it. When asked about the fruit, Tadlock explained the airline had been passing them out and asked if she could throw it away, or eat it.
But, the Customs agent allegedly told her 'no' and went on to fine her for having the undeclared apple.
"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 Fox 31.
The Colorado woman says the apple may create bigger problems for her than just a $500 fine - Tadlock says she's may be at risk of losing her Global Entry Status, which allows for low-risk, pre-approved individuals to have expedited entry traveling back into the U.S.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection website says that, “every fruit or vegetable must be declared to a CBP Agriculture Specialist or CBP Officer and must be presented for inspection.”
Tadlock says she plans on fighting the fine in court.