Father and daughter plead guilty to R22 smuggling
19th October 2026
USA: A father and daughter have pleaded guilty to smuggling thousands of dollars worth of banned R22 refrigerant in multiple trips across the border from Mexico.
Ricky Jesus Rodriguez, age 47 and his daughter, 24-year-old Jasmine Rodriguez, were said to have been working on behalf of US air conditioning companies.
Rodriguez admitted that he was paid tens of thousands of dollars to coordinate the smuggling of R22, the ozone-depleting HCFC which was from production and import into the US since January 1, 2020. He admitted that he recruited others, including his daughter, to join the smuggling ring, and helped coordinate her role as well.
At least two HVAC companies are said to have recruited and paid Rodriguez, his daughter and other smugglers to hide tanks of R22 in their cars and drive them across the border.
Ricky Rodriguez began smuggling R22 in the summer of 2023. He admitted he smuggled the chemicals dozens of times, bringing five to ten tanks each time, earning thousands of dollars in smuggling fees.
Ricky Rodriguez is scheduled to be sentenced on January 11. He faces up to five years in prison and $250,000 fine. Jasmine Rodriguez entered into a plea agreement that allows her to defer entry of judgment if she meets conditions of release and remains on good behaviour for a period of 12 months, after which her case would be dismissed.
