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Poland stops more refrigerant in LPG tanks

POLAND: Polish customs officers have intercepted another attempt to smuggle refrigerant hidden in car LPG tanks across the border from Ukraine. 

The latest incident involved almost 200kg of R134a refrigerant detected during a car inspection at the border crossing in Budomierz in south-eastern Poland.

The officers noticed the LPG fuel tanks suspended under the car and sent the vehicle for a detailed inspection to determine the contents of the tanks. 

Four out of the five cylinders were found to contain R134a, totalling almost 200kg with an estimated value of over PLN25,000 (around €5,800).

The detected gas was seized together with the vehicle for further proceedings. A criminal and fiscal case has been initiated against the driver.

Last month, customs and tax officers stopped an attempt to smuggle over 150kg of R404A refrigerant at the border crossing in Medyka on the border with Ukraine. A number of similar incidents involving refrigerant in vehicle LPG tanks from Ukraine, as well as Belarus, have been reported in the last 12 months.

Related stories:

Customs stop R404A hidden in LPG tanks17 April 2025
POLAND: Customs and tax officers have stopped an attempt to smuggle over 150kg of R404A refrigerant across the border from Ukraine. Read more…

Polish customs discover refrigerant in truck’s gas tanks18 February 2025
POLAND: Polish authorities have intercepted 500kg of a non-specified refrigerant contained in tanks under a truck. Read more…

Customs stop more LPG tank smuggling attempts24 October 2024
POLAND: Polish customs officers have intercepted further attempts to smuggle refrigerant across the border from Ukraine in vehicle LPG tanks. Read more…

Customs discover R404A in car LPG tank – 16 October 2024
POLAND: Polish customs officers discovered an attempt to smuggle R404A refrigerant in an LPG gas tank in the boot of a car stopped in Korczowa at the border with Ukraine. Read more…

Poland intercepts R134a in car LPG tanks24 July 2024
POLAND: Customs officers in Terespol claim to have prevented seven attempts in the last month to smuggle refrigerant R134a in the LPG tanks of motor vehicles. Read more…

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