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PA HOUSTON MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO CFC SMUGGLING
Release Date: 04/18/97
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FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, APRIL 18, 1997
HOUSTON MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO CFC SMUGGLING
Carlos D. Rojas of Brownsville, Texas, pleaded guilty on March 31, in U.S. District Court in Houston, Texas, to three counts of an indictment charging Rojas and two others with violating the federal Clean Air Act by smuggling 1,000 pounds of CFC-12 commonly known by the trade name Freon into the United States from Mexico. CFC-12 is an ozone-depleting refrigerant gas used in air conditioners. Depletion of the earth's protective ozone layer exposes people to levels of ultraviolet radiation which can cause cataracts and skin cancer. Rojas admitted to receiving smuggled merchandise, violating Clean Air Act regulations relating to CFC importation and conspiracy. The trial of Rojas' co-defendants is scheduled to begin on April 23. Rojas faces a maximum of 15 years imprisonment and/or a fine of $750,000 for his conviction on all three counts. The case was investigated by EPA's Criminal Investigation Division and the U.S. Customs Service.
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