Revenue and Customs Service confiscates 50 R22 gas cylinders from a fishing vessel at the Suva Wharf

The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service has confiscated 50 R22 gas cylinders from a fishing vessel at the Suva Wharf yesterday.

These cylinders contained ozone depleting substances.

The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service Compliance Team developed suspicion on the vessel as it was listed under the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone, but had avoided the Australian Border Officials and entered Fiji Waters instead.

Fiji Revenue and Customs Service Chief Executive Officer Visvanath Das says a Customs Border Compliance team searched the vessel and was successful in detaining the ozone depleting gas cylinders.

The cylinders have been handed over to the department of Environment.

Das commended the efforts of the Customs Border Compliance Team in the work that they have done.

The CEO has given assurance that the Revenue and Customs Authority is committed in ensuring the well-being of the environment.

He says they are working in partnership with relevant stakeholders in combating illegal imports of ozone depleting substances.