Six men have been charged with drug supply offences and an investigation is underway following a suspected fatal drug overdose following a music festival in Sydney’s south-west at the weekend.
Officers from South West Metropolitan Region, assisted by officers from various specialist units, conducted a high-visibility police operation at Transmission Music Festival, which was held at Sydney Showground from 3pm on Saturday (11 February 2023).
The event was determined a high-risk event under the Music Festivals Act 2019, and as such, police were assisted by security officers, NSW Ambulance paramedics and medical professionals to provide a safe and secure environment for more than 18,000 attendees.
During the operation, police arrested six men – aged between 19 and 33 – who were detected in possession of MDMA.
A 23-year-old Oran Park man was charged with supply prohibited drug after he was allegedly found in possession of 253 MDMA tablets. He was refused bail and appeared at Parramatta Bail Court yesterday (Sunday 12 February 2023).
A 21-year-old Fairfield West man was charged with supply prohibited drug and possess prohibited drug after he was allegedly found in possession of 149 MDMA tablets. He was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Burwood Local Court on Thursday (16 February 2023).
The other four men were issued Court Attendance Notices for supply prohibited drug and are due to appear at court at a later date.
More than 130 people were treated by medical professionals at the venue, with numerous complaints suspected to relate to drug use and heat exhaustion.
At least 12 people were transported by NSW Ambulance paramedics to hospitals for further treatment relating to drug use, with seven of those patients requiring intubation.
About 3am on Sunday (12 February 2023), officers from Bankstown Police Area Command were called to Bankstown Hospital to investigate the circumstances of the death of a 26-year-old man.
Police were told the man – who had earlier attended the music festival – presented at the hospital just before 1.30am for a suspected drug overdose.
Investigations are underway and a report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
