This highly addictive psychostimulant is becoming increasingly popular in Australia

In an Australian airport en route to his new home in Darwin, Solomon Islands national James Meiko Lengi recalls the feeling of anguish he felt when a Border Force sniffer dog picked him up chosen from a queue.

Key points: Australia's biosafety laws allow the import of up to 10 kg of betel nut Demand for betel nut in Australia is skyrocketing Known for its euphoric and relaxing effect, the nut is highly addictive and causes disease

"When the dog goes towards everyone and then stops on you, everyone knows you're carrying something," he said.

"The worst feeling is that I don't know what's in my bag, like in my pocket…if someone put a drug in it."

The officer searched Mr. Lengi's pocket and revealed the culprit: the skin of a betel nut.< /p>

Known for its euphoric and relaxing effect, betel nut is the seed of the fruit of the areca palm and is chewed into a vibrant red paste.

"Everyone just laughed. Because, 'oh, just betel nut'."

Mr. Lengi had left Honiara airport chewing betel nut, but had forgotten that he had left the skin of the fruit in his pocket which he planned to use to clean his teeth.

Mr Lengi says Australia has its own supply of betel nut. (ABC News: Chrisnrita Leong)

Ten kilograms of betel nuts are allowed to be imported under Australian biosafety laws, but any fleshy material must be removed first.

Mr. Lengi was grateful to be released with a warning and has since traveled freely with his stash of betel nut.

In Australia, demand for betel nut is soaring, in part due to the expansion of a Pacific worker program that now includes the elderly care sectors , hospitality and tourism and sees a 3,000 Solomon Islander working population.

However, although it is legal to bring a small amount of betel nut into Australia for personal use, it is a restricted and illegal product to sell here for human consumption.

A biosecurity officer from the Solomon Islands, who asked not to be named, said he was seeing an increase in the amount of betel nut flowing from Honiara to Australia - this was all happening at an informal level meeting.

Honiara-based betel nut suppliers peel, freeze and package the product ready to be transported to Australia. 'foreign and sold.

Solomon Island vendors are making a profit selling betel nut to workers in Australia. (ABC News: Chrisnrita Leong)

KFC or betel nut?

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