Gravesend patrol seizes machete, nitrous oxide and cash after vehicle stop

The force has not disclosed the specific offences the three men were arrested on suspicion of, nor their ages or current custody status. The exact location within Gravesend where the stop took place has also not been confirmed.

The Legal Context

Nitrous oxide has been controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 since November 2023, making it unlawful to supply the substance or hold it with intent to supply without authorisation. The gas was reclassified as a Class C drug following concerns about its recreational use and associated health risks.

Possession of bladed articles in public places is prohibited under the Criminal Justice Act 1988, with machetes falling under this category. Police can arrest individuals found carrying such weapons without reasonable excuse.

The seizure of cash alongside suspected controlled substances and weapons often forms part of investigations into proceeds of crime, though no details about the specific nature of this investigation have been released.

Police Response

Kent Police conducts vehicle stops and searches as part of operations to disrupt suspected knife crime, drug supply and cash-linked criminal activity across the county. Such operations form part of ongoing work to tackle serious and organised crime.

The Gravesend area falls under the jurisdiction of Kent Police, with any subsequent charging decisions requiring input from the Crown Prosecution Service if the investigation proceeds.

Officers have not indicated whether the arrests are linked to any broader investigation or whether additional suspects are being sought in connection with the seizure.

Key Facts

• Three men were arrested after police seized a machete, nitrous oxide canisters and more than £2,000 cash from a vehicle in Gravesend
• The vehicle stop took place at roughly 1.30am on Saturday 6 June 2026 during a patrol
• Nitrous oxide has been controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act since 2023, making unauthorised supply or possession with intent to supply unlawful

Public Information

Members of the public can report suspicious activity or concerns about drug dealing and weapon carrying in their communities through the non-emergency number 101 or the online reporting system. Anyone with information about this specific incident should contact Kent Police, quoting any reference number provided by the force.