Guardia Civil dismantled a family-run group importing nitrous oxide to Tenerife. Six suspects were arrested and large quantities of drugs, cash, and weapons seized. The investigation remains open.
Spanish authorities have intercepted one of the largest shipments of nitrous oxide ever recorded in Europe, seizing nearly 13 tonnes of the so-called 'gas de la risa' in southern Tenerife. The Guardia Civil arrested six individuals and identified six more as suspects, following coordinated raids across Arona, Adeje, and Granadilla de Abona. The operation targeted a criminal network believed to be importing and distributing the recreational drug through a tightly controlled, family-led structure.
During the operation, officers confiscated 10,394 containers of nitrous oxide, with a total weight approaching 13,000 kilograms. This marks the second-largest seizure of this substance on the continent, according to the Guardia Civil. Alongside the gas, authorities discovered €63,500 and £1,000 in cash, as well as a range of other narcotics: approximately 200 grams of cocaine, nearly 600 grams of hashish, 1.4 kilograms of marijuana, and 46 grams of 'tusi', a synthetic blend of psychoactive substances. The search also yielded various pills, mushrooms, capsules, and cannabinoid-infused edibles.
Investigators also found five imitation firearms, eight bladed weapons—including several axes—numerous electronic devices, and extensive documentation linked to the case. The criminal group is suspected of handling the entire supply chain: importing nitrous oxide from abroad, storing it in multiple properties, and distributing it to nightlife venues and other locations across Tenerife. The operation was led by the Playa de las Américas investigation unit, under the supervision of the Arona Court and the local anti-drug prosecutor's office.
All twelve individuals are under investigation for alleged involvement in organized crime, drug trafficking, dealing in harmful substances, and money laundering. The Guardia Civil has stated that the case remains open and further arrests are possible as inquiries continue. The scale of this seizure highlights the growing challenge posed by nitrous oxide in Spain, where its recreational use has surged in recent years, particularly in tourist hotspots. Similar law enforcement efforts have targeted other forms of criminal activity in Spanish regions, such as the recent arrest linked to a major wildfire in León, reflecting a broader crackdown on organized crime and public safety threats.
Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, is legally available for industrial and medical purposes but is increasingly misused as a recreational drug. Its popularity in nightlife settings has raised concerns among health authorities due to potential risks, including neurological damage and accidents. Spanish law enforcement agencies have intensified their focus on the illicit trade of such substances, especially in regions with high tourist activity like the Canary Islands. The outcome of this investigation may set a precedent for future cases involving the trafficking of emerging recreational drugs in Spain.
