PARAMARIBO, Suriname, Law enforcement officials have seized a quantity of nitrous oxide for recreational purposes that has been prohibited by ministerial decree since 2020. Nitrous oxide may only be used in hospitals under the supervision of a specialist.
The Public Prosecution Service (OM) Thursday ordered the seizure of a 40-foot container where the nitrous oxide or laughing gas had been stored. It said no import license had been granted for laughing gas.
The Public Relations Unit of the Public Prosecution Service said that the laughing gas was not intended for medical purposes, given that the container was three-quarters full.
The authorities said that while no one has been arrested, the documents related to the import have been requested from the Customs Department.
Earlier this week, the Ministry of Health expressed concern about the drastic increase in laughing gas, with Health Minister Amar Ramadhin pointing to the dangers of using the stuff.
Health authorities said users could become unconscious, suffer brain damage and develop other health problems.
and then 