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FISCAL YEAR: 2011
1. PRINCIPAL DEFENDANT: Victor Manuel Diaz
S.D. California 11-CR-1581-WQH
S.D. California 11-CR-1581-WQH
On September 4, 2009, EPA-CID was notified by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that an individual named Victor Diaz, doing business as Reliance Trading Company, attempted to illegally import 200 (30lb) cylinders of hydrochlorofluorocarbon-22 (HCFC-22) from Mexico into the United States, through California's Calexico East Port of Entry.
HCFC-22 is a commercial refrigerant commonly referred to as R-22. CBP officials said that when Diaz was asked for his permit to import R-22, through a broker Diaz supplied CBP officials with documents unrelated to the importation of R-22. CBP officials added that prior to this incident; Diaz and Reliance Trading Company were told by CBP officials at another border crossing station that prior permission from U.S. EPA is required for the legal importation of R-22.
HCFC-22 is a commercial refrigerant commonly referred to as R-22. CBP officials said that when Diaz was asked for his permit to import R-22, through a broker Diaz supplied CBP officials with documents unrelated to the importation of R-22. CBP officials added that prior to this incident; Diaz and Reliance Trading Company were told by CBP officials at another border crossing station that prior permission from U.S. EPA is required for the legal importation of R-22.
April 21, 2011
Diaz was indicted on CAA violations {42 U.S.C. 7671d - Stratospheric Ozone Protection and 42 U.S.C. 7413(c)(1) - knowingly violates}.
He pled guilty to the charges.
CITATION: 42 U.S.C. 7413(c)(1), 42 U.S.C. 7671d
June 27, 2011
Diaz was sentenced to 24 months probation and ordered to pay a $250 federal fine.
STATUTE:
- Clean Air Act (CAA)