9,000 ‘Laughing Gas’ Canisters Stolen from Industrial Site

Three individuals gained unauthorized entry to an industrial estate and absconded with a trailer containing 9,000 containers of nitrous oxide gas. Merseyside Police reported that the perpetrators carried out the theft at Knowsley Business Park at approximately 22:15 GMT on Sunday, November 24. In a separate incident occurring in Toxteth, Liverpool, two teenagers and a 30-year-old man were apprehended after law enforcement stopped a vehicle and discovered numerous large canisters of the substance inside. Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, was reclassified as a Class C controlled drug in 2023. The colorless gas serves as an anesthetic in medical and dental fields, and when combined with oxygen, it is referred to as “gas and air,” frequently administered during childbirth. However, recreational users are known to utilize small canisters to inflate balloons with the gas, which they then inhale for a brief euphoric effect. The police force indicated that severe, consistent misuse of the drug could lead to health complications, including anemia, and in more critical instances, nerve damage or paralysis. Between 2001 and 2020, 56 fatalities were recorded in England and Wales where nitrous oxide was cited on the death certificate. Merseyside Police stated that over 30 canisters of nitrous oxide were discovered in a car during the early hours of November 25. Two boys, aged 15 and 16, along with a 30-year-old man, were taken into custody on suspicion of possessing a psychoactive substance with intent to supply, following the interception of a Ford Kuga vehicle on Sefton Street. Detective Inspector Steve Byrom commented: “Abuse of nitrous oxide is dangerous and is often linked to antisocial behaviour and criminality.“We would encourage people to think about the possible consequences of possessing or selling this illegal drug.” For the best of BBC Radio Merseyside, listeners can tune in via Sounds, and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Submissions for story ideas can be sent to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk. Copyright for this content is held by the BBC, 2024, with all rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for material found on external websites. Further details on our approach to external linking are available.