Last week Police said we'd be taking action on the illegal sale of nitrous oxide in our communities and this week we are seeing results.
"Many districts, including Eastern, Counties Manukau, Waikato, Central, and Bay of Plenty had already begun working with retailers to ensure they knew the laws around the sale of nitrous oxide," says Assistant Commissioner Tusha Penny.
"One retailer has shown complete disregard for the law and has persisted in selling this substance for recreational use. That retailer has now been charged under the Psychoactive Substances Act."
District Commander Superintendent Will Loughrin said this result will be great for the Rotorua community.
"We took a planned prevention approach and this shows if retailers ignore us, we will follow through with enforcement action.
"We have taken more than 300 cannisters out of circulation. That will mean reduced harm for our young people, and also less danger on the road because of it.
"Our beat team had engaged with the retailer several times, yet he refused to heed our warnings. So now he will face the consequences, which is a criminal charge of selling or suppling a non-approved psychoactive product which carries a fine of up to $500,000 or a maximum term of two year's imprisonment," says Superintendent Loughrin.
The man will appear in the Rotorua District Court tomorrow.
"This is the first prosecution of a retailer in our district and I hope that any other retailer selling nitrous oxide for recreational use will note this and think again."
Assistant Commissioner Tusha Penny says she is disappointed some retailers are choosing to snub the law despite engagement by Police.
"However, I am pleased to see this great effort by our staff and this demonstrates that we will use enforcement if people break the law."
Police urge anybody who is aware of a retailer selling nitrous oxide for recreational use to contact Police on 105 or call CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 to report it.
If people see discarded cannisters in public they should contact their local council for advice about safe disposal, as these cannisters can explode if not emptied and disposed of properly as a hazardous substance.
