I just read in the Houston Chronicle that George Norris was sentenced yesterday (Oct. 6) to 17 months in federal prison for orchid smuggling. Story: http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/2834702 Printable version: http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/printstory.mpl/metropolitan/2834702 What is interesting is that this very short article includes the following: "Norris told Arias to ship the plants through Florida because federal inspectors at Miami International Airport were more lax than those in Houston, according to court documents." You know, the laxness of Miami inspectors is a known fact, and I wonder why the newspaper reports it as if making such a statement is a crime. I import occasionally, and I use the Houston PPQ because I live here and it is more convenient. But the Houston inspectors are tough as nails, and they keep plants for 1-2 weeks, then insist on dipping, double-dipping and sometimes smoking. Truly horrible. Whereas people talk about boxes of plants sailing through Miami without even being opened. Nina Rach Houston
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