13 tons of “laughing gas” seized in southern Tenerife

The Spanish Civil Guard has dismantled a criminal organization in southern Tenerife dedicated to the illegal import, storage, and distribution of nitrous oxide, also known as “laughing gas,” a substance used as a recreational drug. Six people have been arrested and six others are under investigation in the operation. This is the second largest seizure of nitrous oxide in Europe.

Operation “Centro” began when the Civil Guard became aware of the use of “laughing gas” in various entertainment areas in the south of the island. The investigation uncovered a hierarchical criminal organization, comprised of a family-run management team, a branch dedicated to logistics and receiving the merchandise from abroad, and another for final distribution on the island.

As a result of the actions, and within the framework of four simultaneous and successive searches carried out in the Tenerife municipalities of Arona, Adeje and Granadilla de Abona, six people have been arrested and another six have been investigated, as alleged perpetrators of crimes of belonging to a criminal organization, drug trafficking, trafficking of substances harmful to health and money laundering.

During the searches, officers seized 10,394 containers of nitrous oxide weighing almost 13,000 kg; they also found 63,500 euros and 1,000 pounds sterling in cash; approximately 213 grams of cocaine; 599 grams of hashish; 1.4 kg of marijuana and 46 grams of the substance known as “Tusi” (a mixture of different psychoactive substances), as well as other substances also of a narcotic nature: pills, mushrooms, capsules and edible preparations with cannabinoids.

Also seized were five simulated firearms and eight bladed weapons, including several axes, electronic devices and abundant documentation related to the investigated events.

The investigations carried out point to the existence of a criminal structure with clearly defined functions, dedicated to the importation of gas on the island of Tenerife, its reception and storage in different properties, and its subsequent distribution and sale through a supply network on the island.

The operation was carried out by the Investigation Unit of the Playa de las Américas Police Station under the direction of the Arona Court of First Instance and at the request of the Arona Anti-Drug Prosecutor’s Office. The investigation remains open and further arrests are possible.