Accused Nitrous Oxide Peddlers Released on I-Bonds

ORLAND PARK, IL -- A pair of Pennsylvania men were arrested after Orland Park officers found numerous canisters of nitrous oxide in in their SUV, police said in a news release. Jose M. Curet, 27, of Lancaster, PA, and Joshua Priest, 27, of Manheim, PA, are facing a felony charge unlawful possession of nitrous oxide with intent to deliver. Also found in the vehicle was several thousand dollars in cash.

Orland Park tactical officers working an assignment around 11 a.m. May 18, noticed a Chevy Tahoe with Pennsylvania plates that had been parked a little too long in the McDonald’s parking lot at 11241 S. 159th Street. After running the plates, officers learned that the registered owner had prior out-of-state arrests for drug distribution, police said. The occupants of the Tahoe, later identified as Curet and Priest, had not gotten out of the vehicle for a long period of time. Police said as officers approached the vehicle, they could smell marijuana wafting from the windows.

After the men exited the Tahoe, police searched the vehicle where they found 14 large metal air tanks covered by a blanket, police said. The canisters contained nitrous oxide. The vehicle was seized along with $4,546 in cash. Curet and Priest were both released on I-bonds after appearing in weekend bond court at 26th Street and California. Both are due back in court May 22, where they have been assigned to the Fifth Municipal Cook County District Courthouse in Bridgeview.

Nitrous oxide, also known as hippy crack or laughing gas, is used by dentists and doctors for various surgical procedures. It also belongs to a class of drugs used for recreational drug purposes as inhalants.