The identity of a Rotorua retailer charged with selling hundreds of nitrous oxide canisters, commonly known as nangs, will remain secret for at least another three weeks.
The man, aged in his 30s, appeared in the Rotorua Registrar’s Court this morning charged with unlawfully selling a psychoactive substance that is not an approved product.
The charge is laid under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2013 and carries a maximum prison sentence of two years.
His lawyer, Tumanako Silveira, entered no plea to the charge on behalf of his client.
He asked that name suppression be granted until his client’s next appearance to maintain his fair trial rights, should it go down that path.
The request was granted and the man was remanded on bail to reappear in court on March 27 before a judge.
Continued name suppression would be discussed at this appearance.
The man’s bail conditions include that he not sell nangs or nitrous oxide.
Police said in a statement this week the vendor allegedly continued selling nitrous oxide canisters, despite repeated warnings to stop.
Bay of Plenty district commander Superintendent Will Loughrin alleged he disregarded the law by continuing to sell the substance “for recreational use”.
Loughrin said police seized about 300 canisters.
The man is the first retailer in the region to be charged under the Psychoactive Substances Act.
In the statement, police urged members of the public to report retailers selling nangs by calling 105 or Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
They also advised people to contact their local council if they found discarded canisters, which can explode if not properly emptied and disposed of as hazardous waste.
Nitrous oxide has legitimate medical and catering uses, but is illegal to sell for recreational use.
Inhaling it may give users a fleeting “high” feeling, accompanied by hallucinations, but use can pose health and other safety risks.
The issue of people doing nangs was raised last month by Tihiotonga residents, who said they were fed up with people doing nangs in their cars, “dancing and yahooing” in the street, littering and ruining their “lovely” neighbourhood.
They say their area, particularly the top of Mokoia Drive or further down the hill off Mokoia Drive in the Centennial Park (Rotorua Tree Trust) carpark, has turned into a meet-up point for nang and drug users, and disrespectful partiers.
Rotorua police have also previously raised concerns about people using nangs while driving, while a pile of dumped empty canisters was also found in the city last year.
Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist who has reported for the Rotorua Daily Post for more than 25 years, covering mainly police, court, human interest and social issues.