Ex-Football League star jailed over supplying 10k laughing gas 'on a commercial scale'

A former top-flight footballer has been handed a prison sentence after running a laughing gas business that saw him selling the illegal substance at 10,000 per pallet

19:59, 17 Oct 2025

[Loza was running the business on a "commercial scale"]

Loza was running the business on a "commercial scale"(Image: Getty Images)

A former Premier League player has been given a jail sentence after being found guilty of selling laughing gas on a "commercial scale".

Jamar Loza, who featured for Norwich City in the top-flight in 2013, was arrested twice in one week in 2022 with police finding a number of nitrous oxide canisters in his Mercedes on August 17 of that year.

Loza was released after the first arrest but was stopped again just a few days later.

The forward admitted two counts of possession of a psychoactive substance with intent to supply, and supplying a psychoactive substance and was sentenced at Norwich Crown Court on Wednesday ( October 15). He was sentenced to 28 months in jail.

[Loza was handed a 28-month sentence]

Loza was handed a 28-month sentence(Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

After starting his career at Carrow Road, the 31-year-old had spells at Coventry City, Southend United and Maidstone United among others.

He most recently played for Kettering Town but saw his contract terminated after news of his sentencing broke.

A club statement read: "With the news this week that Jamar Loza has been sentenced for an incident which took place prior to his association with Kettering Town, we can confirm that the club has taken steps to terminate his playing contract with the Poppies.

"During his time with us, Jamar made a positive contribution on the pitch and we are grateful for his performances in the club's colours.

[He made his Premier League debut in 2013 against Arsenal]

He made his Premier League debut in 2013 against Arsenal(Image: Getty Images)

"While we take no satisfaction in this outcome from a football perspective, as a club, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of conduct and integrity."

The court heard how Loza had been operating his business between London and Norfolk and had been supplying the substance by the pallet at a cost of 10,000.

Recorder Ruth Brander noted that the operation had been run "on an industrial scale", with the player reportedly bragging to other dealers that he had "so much money he didn't know what to do with it".

Loza was sentenced alongside co-defendant Lydia Punchard who was handed a six-month suspended sentence for one count of supplying nitrous oxide.

[He most recently turned out for Kettering Town]

He most recently turned out for Kettering Town(Image: Surrey Advertiser)

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Darren Eadie, a former team-mate of Loza's at Norwich City described him as "really good role model" when asked to provide a character reference. He said that Loza taught young players "how to conduct themselves on and off the pitch".

The former canary had scored two league goals already this season and had been capped four times by Jamaica at international level.

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