Zagreb customs stop car crammed with R134a

CROATIA: Customs officers in Zagreb intercepted a car carrying 22 cylinders of R134a refrigerant in illegal disposable cylinders.

The 22 cylinders, with gas totalling 300kg, was found during a search by the Zagreb Regional Unit – Mobile Unit Service. It was suspected of being smuggled and subsequently confiscated.

Those involved were fined HRK66,000 (€8,715), with a further HRK 26,520 (€3,500) for the destruction of the refrigerant.

Although suspected of having been smuggled, it is unclear whether the customs officers were also aware that the cylinders were, as can be seen from the photographs, in non-refillable cylinders which have been banned in the EU since 2007.