LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. — The Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office says deputies seized several canisters of Crown Gas (Cherry), a firearm with extended magazines and a misdemeanor quantity of marijuana during a traffic stop on Highway 45 North early Sunday morning, Aug. 16, 2026.
A deputy initiated the stop, and probable cause developed to search the vehicle, the office said. When questioned about the Crown Gas canisters, occupants of the vehicle told deputies the product was being used as a “whippet,” the office said.
The sheriff’s office issued the notice to increase public awareness about misuse of products containing nitrous oxide, sometimes called whippets. Such products may be legally sold at novelty stores, convenience stores and vape shops, but intentional inhalation of the gas can produce a brief feeling of euphoria and poses significant health risks.
The office warned that misuse can cause loss of consciousness, oxygen deprivation, injury and other potentially long-term effects. It urged parents, guardians and educators to talk with young people about the dangers and said the sheriff’s office remains committed to enforcement, education and public awareness. This is a developing story and will be updated as more details emerge.
