MÁLAGA, SPAIN — Spanish authorities have successfully broken up an international organized crime network accused of smuggling massive quantities of nitrous oxide, commonly known as “laughing gas,” along with contraband tobacco across Europe. The operation led to multiple arrests and significant seizures in southern Spain.
The crackdown was concentrated in the provinces of Málaga and Alicante. Police action resulted in the seizure of:
- 5,184 liters of Nitrous Oxide: This vast amount of gas, intended for the recreational black market, was discovered in a warehouse and a suspected truck owner’s home in Málaga.
- Over 2.5 million Contraband Cigarettes: A large shipment of illegal tobacco was intercepted in Alicante while members of the group were in the process of unloading a truck.
The police investigation revealed that the international criminal organization was composed of individuals from Spain and Eastern European countries.
The group’s method was sophisticated: they allegedly used legitimate commercial shipments destined for France and other European nations as a front to conceal the illegal nitrous oxide and tobacco.
While drug smuggling is a persistent problem, the focus on nitrous oxide highlights a concerning trend. The gas, medically used as an anesthetic, has become popular for recreational use, particularly among young people, despite serious health risks, which include severe neurological damage and cardiac issues. Several European countries have recently moved to ban or heavily regulate its use to curb the dangerous trend.
Seven suspected members of the network were arrested in connection with the smuggling operation.
