Man charged for smuggling ‘greenhouse gases’ in landmark case | Maqvi News

A Californian man, Michael Hart, has been apprehended and charged in what is considered the first-ever prosecution of smuggling powerful greenhouse gases from Mexico into the United States, CNN reported.  

The US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California revealed that Hart, 58, hailing from San Diego, entered a plea of not guilty on Monday in a federal court hearing.

Hart stands accused of smuggling hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), widely used in air conditioning and refrigeration, and subsequently selling them for profit. 

The indictment alleges that he acquired the HFCs in Mexico and transported them across the border in his truck, concealing them beneath a tarp and tools. These gases were then purportedly sold for profit on various platforms, including Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp.

Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division emphasised the illegality of importing certain refrigerants into the US due to their substantial contribution to climate change. Hart’s actions, as outlined in the charges, are seen as undermining international efforts to combat climate change.

HFCs, with applications in building insulation, fire extinguishing systems, and aerosols, are prohibited from import into the US without approval from the Environmental Protection Agency. Despite being short-lived in the atmosphere, these gases are highly potent, some possessing thousands of times the warming potential of carbon dioxide in the near term.

David M Uhlmann, the assistant administrator for the EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, condemned the illegal smuggling of hydrofluorocarbons, emphasising its adverse impact on global efforts to address climate change. Hart is further accused of importing HCFC 22, an ozone-depleting substance that has been phased out in the US since 2020.

US Attorney Tara McGrath described the case as a significant milestone, marking the first instance of the Department of Justice prosecuting an individual for the illegal importation of greenhouse gases. 

Hart, facing 13 charges, including conspiracy and illegal importation, could potentially receive prison sentences ranging from five to 20 years. His next hearing is scheduled for March 25.