Operation of the Tax Agency and National Police

• Five people arrested as alleged perpetrators of crimes against the environment, smuggling and fraud

• These compounds have a high global warming potential and contribute significantly to climate change, with their distribution being strictly regulated by European legislation.

December 19, 2025. Customs Surveillance of the Tax Agency, in a joint operation with the National Police, has dismantled a criminal group allegedly dedicated to the illicit marketing of fluorinated gases. Eleven inspections have been carried out in Alicante, Valencia and Madrid, where more than 4,700 containers and 48,000 kilos of this material, which lacked the traceability required by environmental legislation, have been seized.

Threat to climate balance

The operation focused on the illicit marketing of fluorinated gases, compounds used mainly in refrigeration and air conditioning systems and which, in addition, can have a significant potential to contribute to global warming. All of this makes their unregulated use and marketing a threat to the climate balance, which is why they are strictly regulated by European legislation.

The investigation revealed that this criminal network has been operating in Spain since 2023 and is dedicated to introducing fluorinated gases into the Spanish and international market without the corresponding authorization or environmental or fiscal control, and gases that are not currently permitted.

During the investigation, eleven inspections were carried out in the provinces of Alicante, Valencia and Madrid, specifically in establishments belonging to nine companies linked to the criminal network. In total, 4,781 containers and 48,515 kilos of fluorinated gases, allegedly illicit, have been seized. These lacked the traceability required by environmental legislation and would have a market value of approximately 3 million euros. The documentation obtained is currently in the analysis phase.

The police operation culminated in the arrest of five people as alleged perpetrators of crimes against the environment, smuggling, fraud and belonging to a criminal group. The facts under investigation have been brought to the attention of the Judicial Authority and the investigation remains open, so further inspections or arrests are not ruled out.

Shell companies and international transfers

The investigation has revealed significant financial transactions linked to the criminal network, with economic operations exceeding 10 million euros. Currently, the possible commission of other illegal acts such as money laundering or tax evasion is being analyzed.