Police say they are disappointed after dozens of people were charged with drug offences during a three-day music festival at Camden.
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About 5000 people attended ‘The Secret Garden Music Festival’, held on Brownlow Hill Loop Road between Friday and Sunday.
A police operation – involving officers from Camden police, along with the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Dog Unit and officers from the South West Metropolitan Region – was conducted at the festival.
A total of 192 people and 55 vehicles were searched.
Twenty-six people were issued court infringement notices for drug offences. Seventeen patrons were treated for the effects of drug use, two of which were overdoses.
Police also ejected 44 people from the event.
Following the event, highway patrol officers conducted 56 random drug tests of drivers leaving the event.
Twelve returned a positive result, including ten drivers who tested positive to methamphetamine and two for cannabis.
Inspector Paul Fryer, from Camden police, said despite many warnings during previous years, people continued to bring illegal drugs into the event.
“It’s extremely disappointing that many festival-goers are ignoring our warnings and they think it is OK to risk their lives, and the lives of others, by bringing illegal drugs to the festival,” Inspector Fryer said.
“We had a strong police presence there and the results show that if people intend on bringing drugs in, they will be caught, charged and put before the courts”.
