USA: Another man involved in the illegal importation of R22 refrigerant into the US has pleaded guilty in Miami to knowingly importing approximately 15,640kg of the gas in 2007.Norberto Guada, 43, of Hialeah, Florida, pled guilty to one count of the multiple-count indictment that had been filed against Guada and co-defendant Jorge G Murillo. Guada faces a possible sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and three years of supervised release. Sentencing is scheduled for December 11.Guada was hired as a salesman in February 2007 by a company known as Lateral Investments LLC. Lateral was a Florida corporation, engaged in, among other things, importing merchandise, including refrigerant gas. Between June and August 2007, Lateral illegally smuggled large quantities of R22 into the United States to sell on the black market. At no time did Lateral or its principals hold unexpended consumption allowances that would have allowed them to legally import the R22.In this way, during 2007, Lateral illegally imported approximately 278,256 kilograms or 20,460 cylinders of restricted R22, with a market value of $1,438,270, which Guada was tasked with selling to businesses in the South Florida area. As part of his agreement in this matter, Guada specifically admitted to his knowing involvement in the importation and sale, contrary to law, of 15,640kg of R22 on August 10, 2007.In July last year Lateral's founder Brendan Clery, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release for his part in the offence. Clery was also fined$10,000 and to forfeit $935,240, representing the proceeds of his illegal conduct.
USA: Another man involved in the illegal importation of R22 refrigerant into the US has pleaded guilty in Miami to knowingly importing approximately 15,640kg of the gas in 2007.
Norberto Guada, 43, of Hialeah, Florida, pled guilty to one count of the multiple-count indictment that had been filed against Guada and co-defendant Jorge G Murillo. Guada faces a possible sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and three years of supervised release. Sentencing is scheduled for December 11.
Guada was hired as a salesman in February 2007 by a company known as Lateral Investments LLC. Lateral was a Florida corporation, engaged in, among other things, importing merchandise, including refrigerant gas. Between June and August 2007, Lateral illegally smuggled large quantities of R22 into the United States to sell on the black market. At no time did Lateral or its principals hold unexpended consumption allowances that would have allowed them to legally import the R22.
In this way, during 2007, Lateral illegally imported approximately 278,256 kilograms or 20,460 cylinders of restricted R22, with a market value of $1,438,270, which Guada was tasked with selling to businesses in the South Florida area. As part of his agreement in this matter, Guada specifically admitted to his knowing involvement in the importation and sale, contrary to law, of 15,640kg of R22 on August 10, 2007.
In July last year Lateral's founder Brendan Clery, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release for his part in the offence. Clery was also fined$10,000 and to forfeit $935,240, representing the proceeds of his illegal conduct.