Two arrests in Ayia Napa following discovery of laughing gas canisters

On the night of August 7, 2026, police officers from the Mobile Immediate Action Unit (MMAD) conducted a routine preventive check in the Ayia Napa area. During the inspection of a vehicle driven by a 26-year-old with a 29-year-old passenger, authorities discovered and seized 300 unused nitrous oxide canisters, commonly known as laughing gas. Additionally, officers confiscated 12 inhalation devices and a quantity of balloons used for the consumption of the substance.

Both individuals were arrested on the spot for offenses committed in flagrante delicto. Following their detention, they were formally charged in writing by the authorities and subsequently released pending further legal proceedings. The Ayia Napa Police Station has launched an investigation into the matter to determine the intended use and distribution of the seized items. The case remains open as local authorities continue their efforts to curb the illegal sale and use of nitrous oxide in the popular tourist resort, which is frequently targeted during preventive operations.