site.btaCustoms Agency Seizes 4,810 kg of Illegal Refrigerants in International Environmental Operation

The National Customs Agency seized 4,810.4 kg of illegal refrigerants during the international operation DEMETER XI of the World Customs Organization (WCO), the Agency’s press centre reported on Friday.

DEMETER XI is the WCO’s largest environmental protection operation, targeting illegal trade and cross-border transport of hazardous waste, ozone-depleting substances, and fluorinated greenhouse gases.

The operation ran for five weeks in 2025, in two operational phases, and involved a record 120 customs administrations worldwide. It led to 409 large-scale seizures of illegal goods, according to the WCO.

In total, DEMETER XI resulted in the seizure of 15,509 tonnes of waste, a 57.6% increase compared with the previous operation, DEMETER X. Key operational outcomes also included the confiscation of 68 tonnes of ozone-depleting substances and fluorinated greenhouse gases, eight tonnes of hazardous chemicals, and 13 tonnes of equipment containing controlled substances.

The WCO noted that the operation helps prevent environmental pollution from illegal waste, powerful greenhouse gases, and other hazardous chemicals. It also allows customs administrations to strengthen intelligence sharing, track high-risk shipments, inspect suspicious consignments, and dynamically adjust risk profiles in real time.

DEMETER began in 2009 and is the largest international operation demonstrating the customs community’s efforts to enforce environmental protection regulations.

At the end of 2024, the National Customs Agency reported that it ranked first in the number of seizures of smuggled hydrofluorocarbon products during the WCO’s DEMETER X.