Police are disappointed with the behaviour of some attendees at New Year’s Day celebrations yesterday, with more than 200 people charged with drug offences, NSW Police say.
More than 26,000 people attended the Field Day Music Festival in The Domain, which was held from midday yesterday (Monday 1 January 2018) and continued until 11pm.
A police operation was conducted involving officers from the Central Metropolitan Region, with assistance from the Dog Unit including drug-detection dogs.
As a result of the operation, six people were arrested for allegedly supplying prohibited drugs. 167 people were arrested and charged with possess prohibited drugs.
Of note, a 22-year-old man was allegedly found with 138 MDMA pills. He was arrested and charged with supply prohibited drugs, deal in proceeds of crime and resist arrest.
The man was granted conditional bail and will appear the Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday 14 February 2018.
During the event, six people were taken to St Vincent’s Hospital for medical treatment; five of these people were conveyed for drug-related health issues. One man will undergo surgery on his leg after injuring himself on a fence as he attempted to gain unlawful access to the event.
In a separate operation, officers from the North Shore Proactive Crime Team – with assistance from the Dog Unit, made multiple arrests for drug related offences at an event at a licenced premises on Blue Street, North Sydney.
During the operation, more than 100 people were searched and 54 people were charged with possessing prohibited drugs. Three people were issued with on-the-spot fines for refusing to leave the licensed premises when directed, and one person was issued with a criminal infringement notice for offensive behaviour.
Operations like those conducted on New Year’s Day 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.
