First Lady Casey DeSantis and Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins applaud major statewide undercover operation on recreational nitrous oxide abuse
Staff report
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.– Today, First Lady Casey DeSantis and Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins applaud the efforts of law enforcement for a major statewide undercover operation that targeted the illegal sale of nitrous oxide. Led by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT), in partnership with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, the initiative aimed to combat the rising epidemic of nitrous oxide abuse. The operation resulted in 70 felony arrests and 16 warrants for retailers found selling the product for recreational use.
Locally, eight people were arrested for distributing nitrous oxide:
- Rajan A. Darki, 34, 101 Smoke Shop, Gainesville
- Nijaben Maheshbhai Desai, 20, Smokeville Smoke Shop, Gainesville
- Barbara Louise Green, 41, at Smoker Express, Newberry
- Kelly Michele Klaassen, 57, Smoker Express, Newberry
- Jainish Vishnubhai Patel, 24, 101 Smoke Shop, Gainesville
- Nisha Sunilkumar Patel, 22, Smoke Island Smoke Shop, Gainesville
- Brandon Justin Register, 32, Smoke Island Smoke Shop, Gainesville
- Roger Lee Smith, 39, Smoke Island Smoke Shop, Gainesville
“I am disheartened to see these dangerous and illicit substances being sold in Florida, but I’m very appreciative of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, along with state and federal agencies, for their work to crack down on the sellers and distributors throughout the state,” said First Lady Casey DeSantis. “Since launching our “The Facts. Your Future.” drug campaign in schools, we have sought to empower young students with the truth about substance abuse so that they can make better informed decisions about how drug use and abuse can negatively impact their lives.”
“Florida will not tolerate dangerous substances that threaten our families,” said Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins. “We are committed to protecting our children and holding those who endanger Floridians accountable. This operation sends a clear message: if you prey on Floridians, we will find you and bring the full force of the law against you. I am proud of the relentless resolve and unity shown by every agency that took part in this fight.”
“The Governor, First Lady, and Lieutenant Governor’s commitment to public safety and support of law enforcement has resulted in tangible improvements in community safety and reinforcing Florida’s standing as a national leader in protecting its residents and upholding the rule of law,” said DBPR Secretary Melanie Griffin. “ABT has safeguarded Florida communities and remains steadfast in its mission to protect public safety by confronting dangerous substances and illicit practices that endanger Floridians.”
This operation marks the largest statewide initiative resulting in felony arrests in ABT’s 92-year history. The initiative was led by ABT in cooperation with the Office of the Attorney General, multiple state attorneys’ offices, and military partners, including the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), and numerous local law enforcement agencies across Florida. Agencies assisting in the operation included the Davie Police Department, US Border Patrol, Coral Springs Police Department, St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, Gainesville Police Department, Bay County Sheriff’s Office, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, and West Palm Beach Police Department. Together, these agencies have exposed the widespread illegal distribution of nitrous oxide, which is fueling a dangerous and growing epidemic.
During the investigation, undercover agents purchased nitrous oxide canisters from DBPR-licensed retailers across the state. In many instances, sellers not only supplied the product but also instructed agents on how to use the canisters and devices to “get high.” These interactions provided unmistakable evidence that sales were being made with the knowledge and intent of unlawful recreational use.
Nitrous oxide has surged in popularity among teens and young adults. Inhaling nitrous oxide poses serious risks, including loss of consciousness, paralysis, neurological damage, and even death, with potential long-term effects lingering long after use has stopped. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued strong warnings in March and June of this year against inhaling or recreationally using any form of nitrous oxide, citing these serious health risks and fatalities.
The Facts. Your Future., which First Lady Casey DeSantis launched in December 2019, directly engages youth in Florida to improve their understanding of the life-altering effects of drug use and equips students with tools they need to make decisions about their health and future.
New The Facts. Your Future. resources available online throughout the year.
Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is nothing new. It has been used and abused in Gainesville since I can remember. I recall walking the downtown streets and seeing countless whippets (little CO2-like cartridges) littering the gutters. It is ‘legal’, but it is not. It is used as a propellant for whipped cream.
Exactly! It was crazy popular back in the 80’s and 90’s. I remember some BIG nitrous parties. Remember “Petty’s Past Pad”? Nobody ever OD’ed. Worst was maybe fall over and bump your noggin.
People die every day falling on their head. Lungs are most likely the issue here.
You can buy nitrous oxide on Amazon. Just another political stunt.
…..no laughing matter…..
Chronic nitrous oxide abuse causes a severe and often irreversible B12 deficiency. This can lead to nerve paralysis and psychosis
Major undercover operation what a joke you buy it on Amazon or at Walmart just about anywhere
Remember folks, this is all a distraction from the real crimes against humanity like epstein files and probably taxes also, it’s always the taxes!
This is utter nonsense. If this governor were remotely interested in saving lives, he would crack down on the sale of alcohol to minors. But cracking down on illegal alcohol sales is a lot harder than cracking down on the ubiquitous and only presumed illegal distribution of nitrous oxide. The sale of nitrous oxide in quantities greater than 16 grams (one or two single-use cannisters, depending on the size) has been illegal since 1983, with exceptions that include cooking (i.e., use in whipped cream canisters). But nitrous oxide isn’t sold as single-use cannisters; it’s sold as a box of cannisters, which presupposes its retail legitimacy for the past 40 years. Over those 40 years, retailers just got sloppy in admitting that they knew what we all knew, and the unwitting sales clerks are getting slapped with felony charges.
So what’s really going on? Lifted verbatim from the governor’s office press release: “This operation marks the largest statewide initiative resulting in felony arrests in ABT’s 92-year history.” Ah-hah! It’s about showmanship! Look at all we’re doing to combat crime! Forget about real issues, like how on God’s green earth something this benign could be the ABT’s signature accomplishment. This is simply an opportunistic political stunt for visibility, much like shipping immigrants from Texas through Florida to Massachusetts at taxpayer expense.
And here’s the solution. Retailers will regroup and re-brand. Much like head shops of the past reintroduced their pipes and bongs as tobacco-only devices, smoke shops and even lingerie stores will fall back on clever marketing. “Add a little cream to your bedroom zing.” But only missionary style with your lawfully wedded spouse, of course.
It’s a dog and pony show for your entertainment. Just don’t peek behind the curtain.
If you look at today’s Jail Booking Log, you’ll see an arrest for providing alcohol and tobacco. A clerk at the Economart in the 4100 block of NW 13th Street was arrested, and it was an undercover operation by the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco.
I’m sure there are many more instances of just that happening. I know an undercover sting in Micanopy caught a clerk selling tobacco to someone underage as well, though no one was arrested. I’m not pointing out that ABT doesn’t target illegal alcohol and tobacco sales at all (it’s the Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco after all). I’m pointing out that their “largest statewide initiative resulting in felony arrests in [its] 92-year history” could have taken place at any time over the last 40 years, but it conveniently falls on the heels of a lot of criticism of DeSantis’ showmanship. And, while underage alcohol use (read: abuse) is claiming lives daily, the same can’t be said for nitrous oxide, no matter how someone runs the numbers.
It’s not little CO2 BB gun cartridge looking canisters any more it is rather large tanks they are selling now(I’d imagine they sell both but the Galaxy gas trend is the large tanks). Look up the names that were arrested on the clerk of the court and read the police reports/arrest records.
I did read several of the records. The ones I read showed that the defendants were charged with violating the statute subsection that prohibits selling more than 16 grams (with the exceptions I noted). A couple of the reports showed that the defendants sold 240 grams (15 16-ounce or 30 8-ounce; i.e., a box). And I think one of the sales was 800 grams or thereabouts. In any case, that is in furtherance of my point. You can’t buy less than 16 grams for any purpose, legal or not, which means everyone has accepted the retail legitimacy of sales greater than 16 grams for 40 years. They’re just now getting around to feigning, “Oh, you mean they’ve been abusing it? Say it isn’t so!” in order to make a few arrests for the sake of nothing but visibility and distraction.
When will charges be brought in regard to the 2 billion dollar wood burner felony acts