CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Cincinnati police made 12 arrests for possession, trafficking, and use of nitrous oxide commonly known as "laughing gas" Saturday night and early Sunday morning. The arrests centered around U.S Bank Arena where the band "Phish" played for the second consecutive night.
All of the arrests for trafficking came from people outside the Cincinnati area.
According to the D.E.A., nitrous oxide "Acts directly on the central nervous system to produce psychoactive, or mind-altering, effects. They have short-term effects similar to anesthetics, which slow the body's functions."
All twelve are expected in court Monday morning for arrangement.
Those arrested include: Joseph Duprey, 37, from Bronx, NY and Mark Vizcarrondo, 39, from Philadelphia were arrested on the Walnut Street overpass of Fort Washington Way. Police say they both allegedly sold three balloons filled with nitrous oxide to an officer for $20. Officers wrote in court records Duprey was convicted in New York for sale of a control substance in 1994, while Vizcarrondo was convicted of the same charge in 1990. Both are charged with charged with trafficking a harmful intoxicant. John Ritter, 58, from Indianapolis, was arrested on East 3rd Street. An officer allegedly watched Ritter sell a balloon filled with nitrous oxide, then resisted arrest. He's charged with abusing intoxicating inhalants and resisting arrest. Namdar Ghaffarsamar, 24, from Richmond, VA was arrested inside the Millenium Hotel lobby. Police say Ghaffarsamar had a tank of nitrous oxide between his legs and a bag of balloons. He's charged with abusing intoxicating inhalants. Tyler Davis, 20, from North Vernon, IN was arrested on E 3rd Street. Police say he was giving out nitros oxide. He's charged with trafficking in harmal intoxicant and possessing harmful intoxicants. Alex Diaz, 29, from Bronx, NY was arrested on E 3rd Street. Diaz allegedly had nitrous oxide tank. He's charged with abusing harmful intoxicants. Andrew Castor, 28, from Mountain View, MO was arrested in a parking garage on Mehring Way. Police say he distributed nitrous oxide. He's charged with trafficking in harmful intoxicants and abusing harmful intoxicants. - Dale Fitzpatrick, 44, from Strongsville, OH was arrested in the 300 block of Main Street. Police say Fitzpatrick had nitrous oxide tank with a balloon still attached. He's charged with abusing harmful intoxicants.
Frank Riccardo, 28, from Lynbrook, NY was arrested in a parking lot on Transit Way. According to court documents, Cincinnati police watched Riccardo selling balloons filled with nitrous oxide. He's charged with abusing harmful intoxicants. Matthew Knott, 32, from Indianapolis, was arrested inside a parking garage on Mehring Way. Police allegedly watched Knott inhaling from a balloon. Officers say they watched Knott trying to hide. Police say they ordered Knott to hand over the balloon without letting go. Knott then allegedly let the balloon go. While the officer reached for the released balloon, police say Knott let a second balloon fly away. After his arrest, police say they found marijuana and four ecstasy pills in his pocket.
Benjamin Lempert, 22, from Dixon, PA, was arrested on East 2nd Street. Lempert allegedly was rolling a black duffle bag with a nitrous oxide container inside filled with balloons down 2nd Street towards U.S. Bank Arena.
- Daniel Watson, 23, from Cincinnati was arrested at a parking lot on Mehring Way. Police say they saw him giving out Nitrous Oxide to others. Watson allegedly refused comply when officers told him to put his hands behind his back. Officers say they had to take Watson to the ground to arrest him.
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