Operation Demeter XI Seizes 168 Tonnes of Illegal Refrigerant
Operation Demeter XI, co-ordinated by the World Customs Organisation (WCO), has resulted in the seizure of 168 tonnes of illegal ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
The five-week operation, involving 120 customs administrations, also intercepted 15,509 tonnes of waste and a significant quantity of equipment containing or relying on controlled substances under the Montreal Protocol. Authorities in Hong Kong seized 1,300 cylinders of suspected smuggled refrigerant with an estimated market value of HK$6.4m (US$822,000, €713,000).
The seizures suggest a continued problem with illegal trade in refrigerants, despite international efforts to phase down high-GWP substances and national F-Gas regulations. Further measures may be required to ensure compliance.
