Trading Standards and West Midlands Police executed a warrant at a Small Heath business park
An investigation is under way after hundreds of boxes of nitrous oxide cannisters were discovered during a raid in Birmingham
Officers from West Midlands Police’s Organised Crime and Gangs team and Trading Standards swooped on a premises situated in the Sapcote Trading Estate, off Small Heath Highway, just after 7am on Monday (December 15).
Around 200 boxes of nitrous oxide cannisters worth around £30,000 were discovered during the operation.
Read More: Birmingham city centre drivers ‘confused’ by new one-way system
No one has been arrested, but enquiries continue.
Since 2023, it’s been a criminal offence to be found in possession of the drug where its intended use is to be wrongfully inhaled, ‘to get high’.
Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp, click the link to join
PC Allison Brown, from the Organised Crime and Gangs Team, said: “This has been a significant seizure of a large quantity of nitrous oxide cannisters.
“Your intelligence can prove to be vital in helping us target those causing harm to communities and bringing to justice those involved in supplying drugs such as nitrous oxide.”
Nitrous oxide is a colourless gas that is most commonly found in pressurised metal canisters and often spotted discarded in streets.
It is usually through a balloon and high doses can lead to suffocation.
If you have concerns about drug crime in your area, call us on 101. You can also speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
A council spokesperson said they would not be commenting as “investigations are ongoing.”
They added: “Today’s warrant was part of Operation Target, which targeted a range of serious and organised crime offences.
“Officers use local intelligence, seize goods, carry out warrants and target offenders.
“Anyone with information about serious and organised crime in their neighbourhood should report it to WMP via 101 or Live Chat.
“In case of an emergency, dial 999. Alternatively, reports can be made anonymously via the independent charity, Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”