Near 500 kilograms of nitrous oxide were discovered in a van in the Var department by customs officials, according to reports. The inspection took place on Tuesday, September 1, around 11:30 PM on the A8 motorway at the Capitou toll, heading in the direction of Aix-Nice. A 40-year-old man from Avignon (Vaucluse) was driving the vehicle, which was intended to exit the motorway at Adrets-de-l'Estérel (Var). The driver was brought before the Draguignan court in an immediate appearance on Monday and received a one-year prison sentence with a detention order. Inside the van, customs officials found 80 bottles, each weighing two kilograms, and 50 boxes containing six bottles each, weighing 666 grams. This totaled 380 containers and nearly 500 kilograms of nitrous oxide. During the hearing, the driver admitted he had agreed to transport the bottles for money but did not specify where the goods were headed. Investigators believe the cargo was intended for people who use nitrous oxide recreationally, despite its original purpose as a medical anesthetic or industrial gas. The substance can cause euphoria when inhaled, which has led to its misuse in certain social circles. The Draguignan court now faces the challenge of destroying the seized goods. Nitrous oxide is harmful to the environment when improperly handled and requires special permits for disposal. Few companies in France are certified to manage such substances, and the destruction process is also expensive. As a result, the court will launch a public tender to find a company willing to handle the disposal. Interested companies will be asked to submit their proposals, and the court will select the most appropriate option. The case highlights the increasing issue of illicit trafficking of substances that are legally used in medical or industrial contexts but are being diverted for recreational purposes. Authorities continue to monitor and intercept such shipments to prevent their misuse and environmental damage.