A Caerphilly shop and its owner have been prosecuted for selling the illegal psychoactive substance nitrous oxide – otherwise known as “laughing gas”.
Khehra Store Limited, which trades as the 7-11 Store on Bedwas Road, Caerphilly, admitted two charges of selling a psychoactive substance, while its owner, Jatinda Singh Khehra, 36, also pleaded guilty to one charge of selling a psychoactive substance.
At a hearing earlier this month, Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court heard how Trading Standards and Gwent Police were told the shop was selling nitrous oxide for inhalation in early 2018.
Nitous oxide is still a legal substance and is used in dentistry and the catering industry to aerate cream. However, it is illegal to sell it for inhalation under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016. It is often illegally sold alongside ‘crackers’ which pierce the canisters it comes in, and balloons used as a means to inhale.
Officers from Gwent Police visited the 7-11 store twice to warn them about the sales. Despite this, the store continued to sell nitrous oxide canisters and used ones were seen lying around the area close to the premises.
As it was believed that the store was still selling the canisters along with crackers and balloons, the council’s Trading Standards Officers visited the premises posing as customers on three occasions during August last year.
On each occasion the officer bought a number of nitrous oxide canisters along with crackers and balloons, making their intention to inhale the gas obvious. On one occasion the shop assistant asked the officer about the effects of using nitrous oxide and on the third occasion it was Jatinda Khehra himself who sold the products.
The company was fined £375, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs to Trading Standards of £922. Individually, Khehra was fined £187.50, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs to Trading Standards of £461.
Cllr Eluned Stenner, the council’s Cabinet Member for Public Protection, said: “Over the last ten years we’ve seen an increase in the use of new psychoactive substances, which are intended to mimic the effects of traditional controlled drugs such as cocaine, amphetamine, MDMA and opioids. These substances are often referred to as ‘legal highs’ which is misleading as they’re often neither legal nor safe for human consumption.
“As well as the health risks associated with the misuse of these substances, including reported deaths from nitrous oxide, there is also often an increase in anti-social behaviour as a result of those under the influence of them. By tackling sellers we’re helping to reduce the availability of these substances, protecting potential users from harm as well as the wider community.”
Caerphilly Neighbourhood Sergeant Jon Pursey added: “We were pleased to work with Caerphilly County Borough Council Trading Standards in taking action against this premises which has continued to sell this psychoactive substance.
“This fine sends out a clear message to other premises that we will not tolerate the sales of these substances which can pose a serious risk for those using them. Young people may think it’s just a bit of fun but using these substances can lead to an increased risk of accidents or even death. We will continue to work with our partner agencies to combat issues that cause the most harm and risk to our local communities.”