see also: in December 2008:   CBP Lists Top 10 Enforcement Events of 2008   CBP Seizes $200K in Undeclared Currency; Arrest 1 at Texas Port   Marfa Sector Agents Apprehend Murder Suspect   San Ysidro Port Modernization Deployment Temporarily Reduces Lanes   Border Patrol Agents Assist in Locating Distressed Individual   CBP Officers Stop Man at Michigan Border Crossing Wanted for Aggravated Sexual Assault   Holiday Surprise; CBP Unwraps 312 Pounds of Khat in December ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Charleston, S.C. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in the Port of Charleston, South Carolina have seized a shipment of the common refrigerant HCFC-22 in coordination with the Environmental Protection Agency. The seizure of 560 cylinders of the refrigerant gas, originating in Mexico, had a domestic value of $97,049.

A previous seizure of 11,400 cylinders of HCFC-22 with a domestic value of $988,797 was made by CBP in Charleston in October. In total, CBP in Charleston has seized 11 container loads of the refrigerant.

“These seizures represent the cooperative efforts taken by federal agencies every day to protect the American people,” said Robert Fencel, U.S. Customs and Border Protection area port director in Charleston.

CBP, as the nation’s border agency, is responsible for enforcing the laws of numerous federal agencies including the EPA. Pursuant to the Clean Air Act, the EPA regulates the importation of ozone depleting substances. Importations can be made only in instances approved and monitored by the EPA.

HCFC-22 is used as a refrigerant for residential and small commercial air conditioning systems as well as retail food refrigeration. Releases into the environment of HCFC-22 contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer. The ozone layer offers protection from UV light which is a known cause of skin cancer. In addition, HCFC-22 is a greenhouse gas and the manufacture of the gas results in a by-product (HFC-23) that contributes significantly to global warming.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.