The “laughing gas” was circulating among the leisure areas of southern Tenerife. This recreational drug came from abroad and was distributed on the island by a criminal structure “made up of a family-based leadership core.” Civil Guard agents have seized up to 13 tons of this substance. “This is the second largest seizure of nitrous oxide in Europe,” highlights the armed institute.
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Six people have been arrested and another six are under investigation as part of the four simultaneous and successive raids carried out by the Civil Guard in the Tenerife municipalities of Arona, Adeje, and Granadilla de Abona. All are suspected of being part of a criminal organization and committing crimes of drug trafficking, trafficking of harmful substances to health, and money laundering. The investigation remains open and further arrests are not ruled out, the Civil Guard specified in a press release issued this Sunday.
#OperacionesGC | 13 tons of “laughing gas” seized in the South of #Tenerife
🧑🦰A total of six people have been arrested and another six investigated for crimes of belonging to a criminal organization, drug trafficking, and money laundering.
👇… pic.twitter.com/0GCWDHZusZ— Guardia Civil (@guardiacivil) August 16, 2026
During Operation Centro, 10,394 containers of nitrous oxide weighing almost 13,000 kilograms were seized. Also found were 63,500 euros and 1,000 British pounds in cash. And various drugs: about 200 grams of cocaine; nearly 600 grams of hashish; 1.4 kilograms of marijuana and 46 grams of the substance known as “tusi” (a mixture of different psychoactive substances). The list also includes other narcotic substances: pills, mushrooms, capsules, and edible preparations with cannabinoids.
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The agents also seized five simulated firearms and eight bladed weapons, including several axes, electronic devices, and abundant documentation related to the investigated events.
The Civil Guard considers this to be “a criminal structure with clearly defined functions,” dedicated to importing the mentioned gas to the island of Tenerife, its reception and storage in various properties, as well as its subsequent distribution and sale through a supply network on the island. The actions were carried out by the investigation area of the main post of Playa de las Américas, under the direction of the Arona Court of First Instance and at the request of the Arona Anti-Drug Delegated Prosecutor’s Office.
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