Overview

• Benjamin Richardson, 38, was sentenced to six years and two months, Thomas Richardson, 38, to five years and eight months, and Carl Messen, 58, to three years and two months.
• The men were convicted of conspiracy to import a psychoactive substance, with additional money‑laundering and criminal cash offences for the Richardson brothers.
• Court evidence showed the imports took place from May 2016 to December 2018 after the law made supplying or importing nitrous oxide for psychoactive use illegal.
• Investigators traced more than £16.7 million through the defendants’ bank accounts, including over £12 million in cash deposits.
• The volume dwarfed legitimate demand, exceeding the 3.8 million canisters used by Costa and Starbucks over a similar period, and proceeds‑of‑crime recovery is ongoing.