Axes, guns, cocaine and a Brit in cuffs: the shocking haul from Tenerife’s laughing gas bust

In a major anti-drug operation in Tenerife, Spanish Guardia Civil arrested six people and are investigating another six after seizing vast quantities of illegal substances and weapons. The largest haul ever recorded in Europe, weighing over 13,000 kilograms, was found during four coordinated raids in Arona, Adeje, and Granadilla de Abona, all in southern Tenerife. The operation, dubbed Operación Centro, is believed to have dismantled a criminal network run by a family leadership.

Among the arrests was a British national, though the Guardia Civil did not disclose nationalities. The seized items included 10,394 nitrous oxide canisters, weighing nearly 13,000 kilos, making it the second-largest seizure of the substance in Europe. In addition to the gas, officers recovered £1,000 (€1,170) in cash, 213 grams of cocaine, 599 grams of hashish, 1.4 kilos of marijuana, and 46 grams of a psychoactive substance known as tusi.

The investigation also uncovered 5 imitation firearms, 8 bladed weapons including axes, and various drugs like pills, mushrooms, capsules, and cannabis-infused edibles.

The investigation began after a rise in nitrous oxide use in southern Tenerife, particularly around the Verónicas complex in Playa de las Américas. Nitrous oxide is typically inhaled from balloons, often sold cheaply and produced a short-lived high. While occasional use is considered low-risk, frequent use can cause nerve damage, including tingling, numbness, and permanent paralysis in rare cases.

The Guardia Civil's investigation unit in Playa de las Américas is leading the inquiry, working alongside the Arona court and the region's anti-drug prosecutor. Further arrests are possible, and the inquiry remains open.