Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The European Anti-Fraud Office conducted Joint Customs Operation KHIONE strived to disrupt the illegal trade in refrigerant gases smuggled into the EU.
As reported by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) the operation, which operated from May to October 2024, resulted in the thriving interception of the equivalent of more than 400,000 tons of CO2 and contained a total market loss of over 4.5 million euros.
How effective was Joint Customs Operation KHIONE in tackling fraud?
According to OLAF, it coordinated Joint Customs Operation KHIONE, codenamed after the Greek goddess of snow, alongside customs officers from 16 Member States as well as Türkiye and Ukraine. The operation, which took place over several months, brought together customs authorities from Poland, Latvia, Germany, Slovakia, Hungary, Greece, Estonia, Lithuania, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, France, Bulgaria, Croatia Romania, Türkiye and Ukraine.
It concentrated on the identification and monitoring of consignments of refrigerant gas for which the apprehension existed that the goods would be smuggled into the EU. The operation included reviews of warehouses and distribution centres where the illegal refrigerant gases were usually stored for resale on the black market.
In his remarks, Director-General of OLAF Ville Itälä stated: “Joint Customs Operations is a key part of OLAF’s mission to protect both EU financial interests and the environment. Illegal trade in refrigerant gases not only undermines the EU’s green goals but also endangers public safety. Through this operation, OLAF and national customs services have shown that we can effectively disrupt this dangerous trade.”
What role did refrigerant gases play in contributing to climate change?
Globally, refrigerant gases are powerful greenhouse gases that contribute immensely to climate change. Under the EU’s F-Gas (fluorinated greenhouse gases) Regulation, rigid quotas are imposed on the import and usage of HFCs, to gradually phase down their usage in favour of more environmentally friendly alternatives. The operation highlights the importance of collaboration between European institutions and national authorities in managing environmental fraud, which often involves complex cross-border networks.
