Police have charged over 150 people with drug-related offences at two music events held at Centennial Park and Sydney Olympic Park yesterday, NSW Police say.
More than 11,000 people attended the Electric Gardens Music Festival at Centennial Park, which was held from midday (Saturday 27 January 2018) and continued until 10pm.
A police operation was conducted involving officers from the Central Metropolitan Region, with assistance from the Dog Unit including drug-detection dogs.
During the operation, seven people were charged for allegedly supplying prohibited drugs. 132 people were charged with possess prohibited drugs. Two people were charged with resist officer, one person for assault, four people were charged for re-enter licensed premises when excluded, two people were issued with cannabis cautions.
Of note:
• A 20-year-old man from Ropes Crossing was arrested after a short foot pursuit. Officers allegedly located and seized 50 capsules believed to be MDMA during a search. He was charged with supply prohibited drug, deal with property proceeds of crime and resist officer. He was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court today (Sunday 28 January 2018).
• A 25-year-old man from Woolloomooloo was arrested after officers allegedly located and seized 31 capsules believed to be MDMA and cannabis during a search. He was charged with supply prohibited drug and possess prohibited drug (x2). He is due to appear at Waverley Local Court on Wednesday 21 February 2018.
In a separate operation, officers from the South West Metropolitan Region with assistance from the Dog Unit, conducted an operation at the HTID Dance party at Sydney Olympic Park, which was held from 3.30pm (Saturday 27 January 2018) and continued until Midnight. More than 6,000 people were in attendance.
During the operation, more than 150 people were searched. Three people were charged for allegedly supplying prohibited drugs and 16 people were charged with possess prohibited drugs. Two people were issued with on-the-spot fines for refusing to leave the licensed premises when directed.
Of note:
• An 18-year-old woman from Coogee was arrested after officers allegedly located and seized 20 capsules believed to be MDMA during a search. She was charged with supply prohibited drug and possess prohibited drug. She is due to appear at Burwood Local Court on Thursday 8 March 2018.
• A 19-year-old woman from Beverly Hills was arrested after officers allegedly located and seized 18 capsules believed to be MDMA during a search. She was charged with supply prohibited drug and possess prohibited drug. She is due to appear at Burwood Local Court on Thursday 8 March 2018.
• A 19-year-old man from Campbelltown was arrested after officers allegedly located and seized 65 capsules believed to be MDMA during a search. He was charged with supply prohibited drug and possess prohibited drug. He is due to appear at Burwood Local Court on Thursday 8 March 2018.
During the event, 116 people sought medical treatment with three people taken to hospital for further treatment for drug-related health issues.
Operations like these will continue to be run at events throughout the year and anyone caught with illicit drugs or found committing alcohol-related offences can expect the full force of the law.
