More than 1,300 nitrous oxide canisters seized

More than 1,300 canisters of nitrous oxide have been seized in a pre-planned police operation.

Durham Police raided a warehouse unit in the Lingfield area of Darlington on Thursday and found several pallets of the Class C drug also known as laughing gas or NOS.

Ch Insp Sarah Hindmarsh said the force had seen a growing number of people using the drug, adding it was "particularly prevalent amongst young drivers, who don't understand the harm it can cause to them, or the danger they could cause to other road users".

A 26-year-old man was also arrested at a house in the Whinfield area on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of drugs and around £30,000 in cash was seized.

He has since been released on bail while investigation work is carried out, police said.

The maximum sentence for production or supply of the drug for unlawful purposes is 14 years.

Misuse can slow down the brain's and body's responses, while chronic heavy use can also cause nerve damage.

Hindmarsh, who is the head of Durham's roads and armed policing unit, said the operation was a "significant seizure".

"Nitrous oxide is a really dangerous drug which can cause unconsciousness and even neurological damage or death from suffocation of the oxygen supply to the brain," she said.

"We have sadly seen the damage that driving under the influence of nitrous oxide can cause, so are taking proactive measures, such as operations like this, to tackle it."

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