21 tons of laughing gas found in Binh Duong warehouse

They also found many equipment to serve the extraction of the gas to smaller containers.

The nitrous oxide is estimated to weigh 21 tons in total and cost VND2 billion (US$85,000), police said.

Police launched the inspection after market management authorities found the warehouse suspicious.

They said the warehouse is “carefully shielded,” and all the cylinders were hidden behind walls. From the warehouse, the gas would be distributed to entertainment venues in Binh Duong and neighboring Ho Chi Minh City and Vung Tau.

The owner of the warehouse said the place is currently rented by a man named Cao Duc Dung and at the time police found the cylinders, Dung could not be reached.

The Ministry of Health in 2019 banned nitrous oxide for recreational purposes, though many entertainment venues still offer the gas, commonly known as “laughing gas,” in balloons.

In Vietnam, the gas is only allowed to be manufactured for industrial purposes. Ingestion by humans is prohibited unless prescribed by doctors.

Health experts confirmed that inhaling nitrous oxide may cause euphoria and slight hallucinations.

Prolonged use of nitrous oxide can lead to poisoning, nerve damage and potentially coma and death.