Police have arrested 159 people for drug offences during an operation at the Listen Out Festival in Centennial Park, Randwick, yesterday, NSW Police say.
A high-visibility police operation was conducted involving officers from the Central Metropolitan Region, with assistance from drug-detection dogs, undercover operatives, Public Order Riot Squad, Central Metropolitan Enforcement Squad (ODIN), Licensing Police and Police Transport Command.
The event was held from 1pm (Saturday 29 September 2018) and continued until 11pm, attracting over 34, 000 revellers.
Of the 159 people found with drugs, 154 were charged with drug possession, while five have been charged with drug supply offences.
Twelve people who received medical treatment at the festival were transported to hospital with seven of those being for drug related matters.
Additionally, there were three charges for resist arrest, three for assault police, four fail to quit offences and one of offensive behaviour.
Operation Commander, Superintendent Karen McCarthy, said despite police warnings prior to the event more than 150 people were still detected with illegal drugs.
"We conduct these operations because the wellbeing and safety of attendees is our number one priority," Superintendent McCarthy said.
"Generally, festival goers were well behaved and enjoyed the event, however there appears to be a small section of the community that continues to possess and deal in illegal substances, despite our warnings.
"Both uniformed and covert officers attend these festivals so if you choose to act illegally or anti-socially you will never know if the person standing next to you is a police officer," she said.
