A Newport man has been jailed for six months after police found 42 large nitrous oxide canisters, known as NOS or laughing gas, in his car. Gwent Police said officers from the Community Action Team stopped Imtiaz Ali, 46, outside his vehicle on Newport Retail Park, Lliswerry, at around 9.50pm on Monday 2 November. Officers had arrested him at the drive-through of a fast-food restaurant. Police said seven boxes of nitrous oxide canisters, unopened balloons and a hammer were inside the car. Officers also seized a large amount of cash and a mobile phone. After searching Ali’s address, police recovered cannabis and three further mobile phones. At Newport Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 4 November, Ali pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply nitrous oxide for wrongful inhalation, possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, and possession of a controlled drug of Class B, cannabis. He was sentenced to six months imprisonment, totalling 26 weeks. PC Sam Hall said officers spotted Ali driving erratically and stopped his car while he was parked in the McDonald’s drive-through area. He said the evidence of illegal dealing of nitrous oxide was overwhelming, and Ali had little option but to plead guilty.