How many cylinders were smuggled and what is the value?

According to the indictment, at least 701 cylinders were illegally brought into Croatia, and sales on the black market generated at least €145,500 in illicit profits.

Who are the defendants and what were their roles?

Five people were indicted: two Serbian nationals, two Croatian nationals, and one with dual citizenship. They sourced cylinders in Serbia, smuggled them into Croatia, and sold them on the illegal market.

What are the smuggled gases used for?

These are fluorinated greenhouse gases used for servicing refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, heat pumps, fire protection systems, and electrical switchgear.

How was the smuggling chain uncovered?

Police and customs officers seized more than 200 cylinders, and USKOK launched an investigation on June 2, 2026.

Croatia

USKOK indicts five for illegal import of gas cylinders worth €145,500

H.D. · Prije 3h | 2 min

Organized group illegally imported air conditioning equipment in just three months, netting at least €145,500 in illicit gains.

Summary

USKOK indicted five people for smuggling 701 cylinders of fluorinated gases from Serbia into Croatia.
The group made at least €145,500 in three months by selling cylinders at €300 each on the black market.
Police and customs seized over 200 cylinders, and the indictment was filed before the Zagreb County Court.
The defendants include two Serbian nationals, two Croats, and one with dual citizenship.

USKOK has filed an indictment with the Zagreb County Court against five suspects for allegedly bringing at least 701 cylinders containing fluorinated greenhouse gases into Croatia as part of a criminal group from Serbia. According to the indictment, they made at least €145,500 in illicit profits by selling them on the black market.

The indictment was filed against two Serbian nationals (born in 1990 and 1969), two Croatian nationals (born in 1989 and 1980), and one defendant with dual Croatian-Serbian citizenship (born in 1970). All are charged with evading customs control and engaging in illegal trade as part of a criminal association.

How the smuggling chain operated

According to the indictment, the group operated from February 15 to May 20, 2026, in Zagreb and other locations across Croatia. Two of the defendants sourced large quantities of filled disposable cylinders in Serbia, which were then picked up by two others and illegally transported across the border by truck.

The fifth defendant acted as a scout, checking whether the border crossing between Serbia and Croatia had cargo inspection equipment, allowing the vehicles to pass without checks. Once in Zagreb, the cylinders were collected and stored at an undisclosed location, then sold to buyers in Zagreb and other parts of Croatia for €300 per cylinder.

"The indictment charges defendants I through V with, between February 15, 2026, and May 20, 2026, in Zagreb and other places in Croatia, joining forces to obtain illicit financial gain by purchasing and smuggling larger quantities of cylinders containing fluorinated greenhouse gases from Serbia into Croatia and selling them on the illegal market," USKOK stated in a press release.

Over 200 cylinders seized

Police and customs officers managed to seize more than 200 cylinders out of the total quantity brought in. These gases are used for maintaining and charging refrigeration and air conditioning systems, heat pumps, firefighting installations, and electrical distribution cabinets.

USKOK launched the investigation on June 2, 2026. "In this manner, the defendants made at least €145,500 in illicit profits from selling the cylinders on the illegal market, which they divided according to their roles and agreement," the Office stated.