Police are pleased with the behaviour of the majority of the crowd at two music events at Wollongong.
Officers from Wollongong Police District, with assistance from the Police Transport Command, Licensing police and the Dog Unit, established a high-visibility operation at Rufus Du Sol and Farmer and the Owl held at MacCabe Park on Friday (1 March 2019) and Saturday (2 March 2019), to maintain a safe and secure event.
As a result of the Friday operation, there were 28 drug detections and several Criminal Infringement Notices issued for fail to quit, trespass, and malicious damage.
Of note, a 17-year-old youth alleged to be travelling to the event was arrested at Caringbah Railway Station on Friday after being found with eight MDMA caps and two MDMA tablets.
He was charged with drug supply and granted conditional bail to appear at a children’s court on Wednesday 10 April 2019.
During the operation on Saturday, there were five drug detections for MDMA, LSD and cannabis.
Three Criminal Infringement Notices were issued for possess prohibited drug and two cannabis cautions were issued.
Criminal Infringement Notices were also issued for fail to quit, offensive behaviour, and trespass.
Wollongong Police District Commander, Superintendent Chris Craner, said the crowds at both events were well behaved.
“We had a significant police presence at the events targeting drug offences, alcohol-related crime, and anti-social behaviour,” Supt Craner said.
“Although there were a small number of people who ignored our advice and tried to bring illegal drugs into the event, the majority of festival-goers behaved responsibly.
“The safety and wellbeing of people attending the events is our number one priority and we will continue to run operations to help ensure they are safe,” Supt Craner said.
