A large-scale operation in Spain has dismantled a criminal group involved in the illegal trade of fluorinated gases. As a result of joint actions by the police and customs service, five people were arrested and more than 48,000 kilograms of chemical compounds posing a threat to the climate were seized. The operation spanned several regions across the country and has been hailed as one of the most significant efforts in recent years to combat environmental crime.
The investigation found that the group used a complex network of companies to conceal the origin and movement of hazardous substances. During raids carried out in Madrid, Alicante, and Valencia, warehouses were discovered containing thousands of cylinders lacking the required environmental labeling. Experts estimate that the market value of the confiscated goods exceeds three million euros.
Operating scheme
The criminal network had been active since the beginning of 2023, supplying fluorinated gases to both domestic and international markets without proper documentation or payment of taxes. Shell companies were set up to disguise the operations, through which large sums of money were funneled. Investigators have identified over 10 million euros moved through accounts linked to members of the scheme.
The gases involved in the case are widely used in refrigeration and air conditioning systems. However, their uncontrolled distribution poses a serious threat to the environment: some of these substances can enhance the greenhouse effect thousands of times more than carbon dioxide. The lack of regulation not only violates Spanish law but also European legislation.
Financial fraud
The investigation placed particular emphasis on financial flows. Money from the illegal sale of gases was transferred through a network of shell companies and moved abroad. This allowed the group to avoid the scrutiny of tax and law enforcement authorities, as well as to launder proceeds from criminal activity.
A total of eleven searches were carried out at premises linked to nine different companies. As a result, not only were gases seized, but also documentation confirming the scale of the operation. All those detained have already been brought to court and face a range of charges, including environmental crimes, smuggling, fraud, and money laundering.
Environmental damage
Experts note that such schemes deliver a double blow: the state loses significant tax revenue, and the environment faces an added threat. When fluorinated gases are released into the atmosphere, they accelerate global warming, contradicting the climate commitments of Spain and the European Union.
Authorities emphasize that combating the illegal trade of such substances is becoming a priority. The operation, which concluded with the arrest of five suspects, marks an important step in preventing further environmental and economic losses.
