AN organised crime gang that imported 91million canisters of laughing gas via fake catering companies has been jailed.
Twins Ben and Thomas Richardson, 38, and Carl Messen, 58, created bogus food firms in the UK and Europe to cash in.
The trio shipped canisters from all over the world and then sold them on the black market.
They said the nitrous oxide was being used for whipped cream in the catering industry but prosecutors rubbished the claim.
Cops found a trail of ill-gotten gains totalling £16.7million, Leeds crown court was told.
Thomas Richardson even posed in front of a mountain of cash.
It is illegal to supply or import nitrous oxide likely to be consumed for its psychoactive effect.
The Richardson twins, both of Barlby, North Yorks, and Messen, of Doncaster, were found guilty of charges including conspiracy to import a psychoactive substance and money laundering.
Ben Richardson got six years and two months, his brother five years and eight months, and Messen three years and two months.
Cops said after: “This was an organised enterprise.”