Last week, a concerned resident reported seeing two young men in a local park “snorting” something, according to the Huntington Beach Police Department.
HBPD’s drone team quickly responded, located the individuals, and directed officers to their location.
When the police officers arrived, they found both individuals in possession of nitrous oxide tanks and actively inhaling the gas.
Both of the suspects were arrested for possession of nitrous oxide with intent to inhale, and one was additionally found to have an outstanding warrant.
Inhaling nitrous oxide, commonly known as “laughing gas” or “whippets,” is extremely dangerous. It can cause blackouts, loss of motor control, paralysis, cognitive impairment, and even death.
HBPD remains committed to addressing illegal and unsafe drug activity to keep our parks and community safe.
Under California law, the two suspects arrested in Huntington Beach for possession of nitrous oxide with intent to inhale face the following penalties:
- Misdemeanor Charges: Possession of nitrous oxide with intent to inhale for intoxication is a misdemeanor under California Penal Code § 381b.
- Jail Time: Up to six months in county jail.
- Fines: A maximum fine of $1,000.
- Probation: Courts may offer probation instead of jail time, which could include:
- Drug education classes
- Community service
- Regular check-ins with a probation officer.
- Additional Charges: One suspect had an outstanding warrant, which could lead to further legal consequences depending on the nature of that warrant.
- No Felony Unless Aggravated: Felony charges are rare but possible if the case involves distribution to minors or other aggravating factors.
I’m all for law and order– but there’s something creepy and dystopian about a Drone Team. In this case it seems reasonable enough– but where does this road we’re going down end up other than a complete surveillance state? Freedom to misbehave– with all due consequences– is an integral part of a free society. The sinister part is, our powers-that-be have intentionally stopped enforcing those consequences, hoping to wear you out enough that you’ll freely accept living in a surveillance state.
The main issue is that officers are allowed to retire while still quite young, with full benefits. Most cities are going broke paying those benefits. They don’t have to provide such benefits to drones. One drone operator can cover a huge portion of the city.