Police have charged two women with drug supply during day one of an operation at the Secret Garden Music Festival in Camden.
The Secret Garden Music Festival is a two-day event held at Brownlow Hill Loop Road, Camden running between Friday 22 February and Saturday 23 February 2019.
Officers from Camden Police Area Command, with assistance from officers from Campbelltown, Liverpool City, and Fairfield City along with South West Metropolitan Licensing and the Dog Squad, are conducting a high visibility operation at the festival to target anti-social behaviour, alcohol-related crime and liquor licensing legislation.
Yesterday (Friday 22 February 2019), during day one of the festival, which attracted a crowd of over 4000 people, police conducted 109 vehicle searches and a total of 300 people were searched, with 40 drug detections for MDMA (ecstasy), cocaine and cannabis.
Fifteen people were issued criminal infringement notices, and police issued cannabis cautions to 16 revellers.
Ten people were issued Field Court Attendance Notices for possess prohibited drug and supply prohibited drug. They are all due to appear at Picton Local Court on Thursday 28 March 2019.
Of note, a 27-year-old ACT woman has been charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug and two counts of possess prohibited drug after being searched and allegedly located with MDMA tablets and cocaine. She was granted conditional bail to appear at Picton Local Court on Thursday 28 March 2019.
A 32-year-old Croydon woman has been charged with four counts of supply prohibited drug, two counts of possess prohibited drug, and possess prescribed restricted substance. She was granted conditional bail to appear at Picton Local Court on Tuesday 26 March 2019.
The operation will recommence today (Saturday 23 February 2019).
Camden Police Area Commander, Detective Superintendent Ward Hanson, warned revellers police would again be out in force.
“The operation will continue at the festival today, with a specific focus on drug offences, alcohol-related crime, and anti-social behaviour, he said.
“It’s alarming that, on average one in one hundred revellers were already detected with illegal drugs at this festival. There is no such thing as a safe party drug and revellers are putting their lives at risk.
“Police were also supported by NSW Ambulance, NSW Health and the on-site medical provider with a number of people already treated for the combined effects of prohibited drugs and alcohol consumption.
“These operations will continue to run as police work with the festival organisers to ensure music-lovers can attend festivals and enjoy themselves in a safe, drug-free environment.” Det Supt Hanson said.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
