Man arrested outside Dead and Company show with 100 nitrous oxide tanks
A man was arrested over the weekend outside the Dead and Company show in San Francisco, suspected of having 100 nitrous oxide tanks in his possession.
The 32-year-old, who is a resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was taken into custody on August 2nd outside the Golden Gate Park in the city, for allegedly having a trailer full of nitrous oxide cannisters.
At the time, the park was hosting one of three concerts for Dead and Company, with fans flocking to honour the 60th anniversary of the Grateful Dead and to celebrate the legacy of the late Jerry Garcia.
However, as police officers patrolled the event, they noticed the trailer near the park, which was open and illuminated from the inside. Upon their approach to the vehicle, they discovered the store of nitrous oxide, which subsequently led to the suspect’s arrest.
In a statement regarding the incident, the San Francisco Police Department’s information officer, Paulina Henderson, said: “It was an illuminated open trailer, and so they were able to see inside when they observed the male and what appeared to be metal tanks.”
“We don’t know exactly what he was trying to do,” she added, after the suspect was accused of possession of nitrous oxide and possession with the intent to inhale for intoxication, which is illegal in the state of California.
Nitrous oxide, more commonly known as laughing gas, is a relaxant drug often used in healthcare settings such as medicine or dentistry. However, it has seen an increase in popularity in its use as a recreational drug, which is against the law.
Despite this, the Dead and Company concerts were a huge success in the city, selling out three nights over the first weekend in August at the iconic San Francisco outdoor venue.
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