A BRAZEN dealer caught with Christmas “party bags” of laughing gas has become the first person in the UK to be jailed for possessing the drug.
Thomas Salton was stopped by police in his Range Rover with 60 nitrous oxide canisters, 48 one-gram bags of ketamine and £39,000 in cash.
ESSEX POLICE/UNPIXSThomas Salton was found with ‘party bags’[/caption]
PAHe has been jailed for 35 weeks[/caption]
The 30-year-old also had a further 408 nitrous oxide canisters and 965 grams of ketamine at a home he was renting.
Officers believe Salton was planning to flood a Christmas party with laughing gas after he compiled a “naughty and nice” list.
The dealer would hand a party bag containing a drug to those on his naughty list, with punters expected to sign a non-closure document.
Salton has now been jailed for 35 months after he admitted possessing nitrous oxide with intent to supply.
The conviction is the first since the drug – also known as “hippy crack” – was outlawed in the UK.
Salton was stopped by cops as he drove in his flash car on December 1.
He also admitted possessing ketamine with intent to supply, possession of a class A drug and possessing criminal property, in relation to the cash, at Basildon Crown Court.
Nitrous oxide was classified as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 last November.
Under the law, anyone possessing laughing gas could face a maximum 14 year sentence.
The drug is still available for legitimate uses such as in maternity wards for pain relief or for catering.
Health risks like anaemia, nerve damage and even paralysis have been linked to nitrous oxide.
Alex Hinds, a prosecutor for CPS East of England, said: “The evidence against Thomas Salton was overwhelming and this case is an example of all parts of the justice system working together to get drugs and those who sell them off the streets.
“The change in the law coupled with the actions of the police has allowed the CPS to present the strongest case in court and put Thomas Salton out of business and into prison.
“Nitrous oxide is a dangerous drug and hopefully this first conviction will deter those thinking of buying or selling it.”
www.essex.police.ukSalton had compiled a ‘naughty or nice’ list[/caption]
www.essex.police.ukOfficers found £39,000 in his car[/caption]
www.essex.police.ukThey also discovered bags of ketamine[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
