The National Republican Guard (GNR) seized over 400 canisters of nitrous oxide on December 4 during a road inspection operation conducted with the Faro Traffic Detachment at the Paderne tolls on Highway No. 2 (A2).
The authorities reported, “The Guard’s officers inspected a vehicle heading to Spain and discovered 432 nitrous oxide canisters inside,” in a statement sent to newsrooms on Saturday.
The canisters were confiscated as there was no evidence provided that the substance was intended for industrial or pharmaceutical use, specifically lacking the necessary authorization from the National Authority for Medicines and Health Products, I.P. (INFARMED).
A 27-year-old, identified as a partner of the company responsible for the transport, was also identified, and an infraction report was filed.
Both the seizures and the infraction report will be forwarded to the Food and Economic Safety Authority (ASAE).
This operation was conducted by the Fiscal Action Unit (UAF), through the Fiscal Action Detachment (DAF) of Faro.
The GNR also reminded that “nitrous oxide, or dinitrogen monoxide (N₂O), also known as ‘laughing gas’, is a psychoactive substance recognized for recreational use due to its euphoric, analgesic, and anxiolytic effects, accompanied by sensory alterations in spatial and temporal perception and impaired motor coordination.” Its continuous use can “cause severe long-term damage to the immune system, memory alterations, among other neurological injuries.”
