A drug dealer has become one of the first in Britain to be convicted of supplying laughing gas following a landmark change in the law two months ago.
Police stopped Thomas Salton’s car after it showed as having no valid insurance in Southernhay, Basildon.
A search uncovered more than £38,000 in cash alongside ketamine and cannisters of nitrous oxide, better known as “hippy crack” or “laughing gas”, on December 1.
At Basildon Crown Court on Monday, Salton, 30, of William Hunter Way, Brentwood, admitted possession with intent to supply controlled Class B and C drugs.
He also pleaded guilty to having a Class A drug and possessing criminal property.
Salton is due to reappear at the same court for sentence on February 19.
Essex Police said: “Salton’s conviction for possessing nitrous oxide with intent to supply is thought to be one of the first since the passing of a new law toughening the UK’s stance on the substance.”
Since November, dealers who peddle nitrous oxide face up to 14 years behind bars.
The ban, promised as part of the Government’s anti-social behaviour action plan, made it a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
Possession of nitrous oxide, where a person intends to wrongfully inhale it for a psychoactive effect, is also now an offence.
Nitrous oxide is the third most used drug among 16 to 24-year-olds in England, according to the Home Office.
Police report links to anti-social behaviour – including intimidating gatherings on high streets and in children’s parks, and empty canisters strewn across public spaces.
Waste crews who cleaned up after the Notting Hill Carnival in August estimate they collected 13 tonnes of laughing gas canisters, Kensington and Chelsea Council said.
Five skips with an estimated 12,000-plus canisters were filled.
Superintendent Philip Stinger, Essex’s head of specialist operations, said: “We have welcomed the introduction of this new law, as it will give us as officers more options when dealing with the anti-social behaviour so often associated with the use and supply of nitrous oxide as a recreational substance.
“This means a proportionate approach to tackling those found in possession of nitrous oxide cannisters, including explaining the change in law and encouraging people not to use or buy the substance.
“But where we are dealing with a larger number of cannisters, it is right we take robust and swift action and put this new legislation to use.
“The use of nitrous oxide in public spaces is a nuisance to communities and has been shown to pose a considerable health risk.”
