Jail Time For SJ Businessperson Convicted Of Illegally Importing Fruit

SAN JOSE, CA — A first-of-its-kind prosecution in Santa Clara County has ended with a jail sentence for a San Jose businesswoman after she was convicted of illegally importing tainted fruit from Vietnam.

Prosecutors with the District Attorney's Office alleged Hanh Hong Huynh, 43, imported and sold fruit that was infested with fruit flies in violation of state and federal laws. She was convicted on a conspiracy charge, which the DA's office said was the first such felony prosecution for illegally importing fruit pursued in Santa Clara County.

On Wednesday, prosecutors announced Huynh was sentenced to three months in jail. A codefendant in the case, Thanh Tuyen Huynh, previously pleaded guilty to participating in the conspiracy and was sentenced to community service.

The DA's office said its investigation revealed the pair had fruit, like langsat, shipped from Vietnam that was purposely mislabeled as dried fish, coffee and tea to avoid inspections. When local officials asked Huynh to stop selling the fruit, prosecutors said she ignored them and continued to advertise on social media. Testing determined the fruit was infested with larvae from a destructive fruit fly found in Southeast Asia.

"Santa Clara County's still-thriving agriculture must be protected," District Attorney Jeff Rosen said. "This office advocates for our orchards, farms, and the bountiful food they produce."

Consumers can report unlawful importing and sale of produce to the state Department of Food and Agriculture's pest hotline at 1-800-491-1899.