DANGEROUS illegal ‘laughing gas’ was being sold from a Rugby convenience store.
Vijayaratnam Kugathasan, who runs All in One in Blackwood Avenue, has been sentenced for two offences of supplying the substance – also known as nitrous oxide – and one offence of possession with intent to supply.
Warwickshire County Council Trading Standards launched an investigation after Rugby Borough Council’s community safety wardens received reports that the store was selling nitrous oxide for recreational use as a psychoactive drug.
Undercover trading standards officers (TSOs) were able to buy nitrous oxide canisters from the shop, together with cracker devices to open them and balloons to inhale the gas, on two occasions.
TSOs and Warwickshire Police seized 384 small canisters of nitrous oxide, seven large nitrous oxide canisters, 20 cracker devices and multiple packets of balloons.
At Warwick Crown Court, Kugathasan, 48, of Columbia Street in Clifton-upon-Dunsmore, was sentenced to an 18-month term of imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to complete 240 hours of unpaid work.
He was also required to pay £2,000 towards prosecution costs and pay a victim surcharge.
Kugathasan had pleaded guilty to two offences of supplying a psychoactive substance and one offence of possession with intent to supply a psychoactive substance at a previous hearing.
On sentencing, HHJ Campbell, presiding, said Kugathasan had hidden the drugs under the shop counter and in bin bags and had no doubt he knew he was selling nitrous oxide illegally to the public.
She further stated that nitrous oxide was illegal to sell to the public because it is dangerous – particularly to those with respiratory issues – and its use had contributed to a fatality.
Warwickshire County Council’s Community Safety spokesperson Coun Andy Crump said: “I’m delighted our Trading Standards Service acted quickly and decisively after concerns were raised by the local community that this Rugby store was selling nitrous oxide.
“This prosecution will help protect the health of Rugby people and sends a warning that the sale of nitrous oxide for recreational use will not be tolerated.”
In mitigation, Mr Halepas, representing the defendant, said that his client had pleaded guilty and co-operated with Trading Standards by providing business records and invoices.
He further stated that Kugathasan had now lost his good character.
The Judge ordered forfeiture and destruction of the psychoactive substances and paraphernalia seized by Trading Standards.
