Police charge almost 100 people with drug offences at Sydney Field Day music festival

Police have charged about 100 people with drug offenses at a music festival in Sydney on New Year’s Day.

On Sunday’s Field Day, jubilant crowds encountered teams of uniformed secret police cracking down on anti-social behavior and illegal drugs.

Over 27,000 people filled Sydney’s Domain for a multi-stage electronic dance festival.

A total of 97 people were found to be in possession of illegal substances such as MDMA, cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy, LSD, ketamine and psilocybin (more commonly known as magic mushrooms).

Three of the 97 were arrested for violating the Drug Supply Act.

A 21-year-old man arrested was found to have 15 MDMA capsules, another was found to have 9 capsules, and a 25-year-old woman was found to have 5 MDMA capsules. Was.

“In total, the police have issued 15 court attendance notices, 2 violation notices, 13 cannabis warnings and 58 criminal violation notices,” NSW Police said in a statement.

Police operations involved 204 searches by drug dogs outside the gates.

Sports day organizers said bag searches were mandatory upon entry and that the health and safety of patrons was a “top priority.”

They said the event has a dedicated team in place to help people party safely.

“Their primary role is to provide water, sunscreen, and other basics, as well as peer-based safety and security measures to provide patrons with harm-minimizing strategies regarding drug and alcohol use. Our goal was to create a non-conflicting line of communication with our patrons at the amenities,” they said.

“All officials present commented on the excellent crowd behavior and the welcome return to music festivals post-COVID.”

During the festival, 84 people were treated by paramedics. Five of them were taken to hospital for further treatment and then released.

It is the first time in two years that the festival has been held without COVID-19 restrictions after the 2021 festival was cancelled.