Free airline apple costs woman $500 at Customs

Beware of accepting free fruit from flight attendants during international travel.

It can cost you – big-time.

Crystal Tadlock found out the hard way when she accepted an apple on a Delta flight from France to Denver, Colorado. Not hungry at the time, she inadvertently placed it in her carry-on.

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When she got to Customs, the agent asked her if her trip to France had been expensive.

“I said yeah,” Tadlock recalled for a Denver TV station. “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.”

While she was not too happy about the charge, she’s also angry with the airline for not warning passengers about going to Customs with fruit from the flight.

"The violation is for one apple," said Tadlock. "It's really unfortunate someone has to go through that and be treated like a criminal over a piece of fruit."

Watch TV coverage of the incident:

When she went through Customs, Tadlock says her bag was randomly searched.

"I understand the laws and the department of agriculture doesn't want certain insects in the U.S.,” said Tadlock. “But once again, the apple is from Delta and I think that's the most important part of this story.”

In a statement, Delta said, "We encourage our customers to follow U.S. Customs and Border Protection protocols."