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(CNN) –
Australian police said they arrested a woman in connection with an investigation of needles found in supermarket strawberries early in the year.
A 50-year-old woman was arrested on Sunday after a "complex investigation" into alleged strawberry contamination in Queensland, the Queensland Police Department said in a statement.
She is scheduled to appear in Brisbane Court of First Instance on Monday.
The arrest follows at least 100 reported cases of sewing needles or pins found in fruits across the country.
The needles were found in strawberries in the six Australian states and in at least six different brands. There were also isolated cases of metal found in a banana, an apple and a mango, the government claiming that many of these cases were believed to be "imitations" or hoaxes.
The incidents prompted authorities in the Australian state of Queensland to issue a warning on Sept. 12, advising consumers to cut the fruits.
The Australian government has also announced tougher penalties for handling food, raising the maximum prison sentence from 10 to 15 years.
The Queensland police said they conducted a national investigation "with several government, law enforcement and intelligence agencies" – as well as a police task force in the state. The investigation is ongoing, the police said.
Impact on the industry
Fear of strawberry contamination has severely damaged the multi-million dollar Australian fruit sector.
Australian supermarkets removed a large number of strawberries from their shelves in response to fear. Meanwhile, local and foreign buyers have suspended the sale of Australian strawberries.
The country exports strawberries to Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates.
Strawberries accounted for 3% of Australia 's fruit exports for the year ending in June 2017, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Fresh fruit exports totaled A $ 954 million ($ 690 million) for the same period, according to a report commissioned by the Australian Horticultural Exporters Association.
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