28 April 2011
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Miami man pleads guilty to R22 smuggling
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A 34-YEAR-OLD man in Miami has pleaded guilty to knowingly importing approximately 278,256 kg of illegal R22.
The man involved, Brendan Clery, now faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. In addition, he could be ordered to forfeit the illegal proceeds of his conduct.
Brendan Clery was president of Lateral Investments, a Florida corporation, formed in 2005 for the purpose of importing merchandise, including refrigerants.
According to court documents, between June and August 2007, Clery illegally smuggled large quantities of HCFC-22 into the US to sell on the black market. At no time did he or Lateral Investments hold unexpended consumption allowances that would have allowed them to legally import the refrigerant. During 2007, Clery illegally imported approximately 278,256 kg or 20,460 cylinders of restricted HCFC-22, with a market value of $1,438,270.