Police charge 140 with offences and remind under 18s to act responsibly at weekend music festival
Police have charged 140 people with offences at a music festival in Sydney’s east and are warning under 18s attending a festival today to heed warnings about drug and alcohol use.
The annual Future Music Festival was held yesterday (Saturday 9 March 2013) at Randwick Racecourse with about 50,000 revellers attending the over 18’s event.
An under-18s music festival, ‘GoodLife,’ will be held for the first time today (Sunday 10 March 2013), from 1pm to 8pm.
Officers from Eastern Beaches Local Area Command were joined by police from specialist units to patrol yesterday’s event.
They were conducting a high-visibility operation – led by the Central Metropolitan Region – which targeted anti-social behaviour, alcohol-related crime, and illegal drug use and supply.
The operation also included licensing police and officers from the Dog unit.
Four people suffered serious medical complications, the result of suspected drug overdoses, while 500 people were treated for other issues, mainly dehydration.
In all, 140 people were arrested by police patrolling the event, with the majority of those for a variety of drug offences, an assault and breach of bail.
During the event, 164 people were ejected, while 165 were searched and moved on.
Officers also issued 16 infringement notices to people for fail to quit, and a further 17, largely for offensive behaviour.
Officers seized an amount of powder and cannabis, as well as more than 300 tablets, believed to be prohibited drugs.
Each person charged was granted conditional bail to appear in Waverley Local Court on Monday 3 April 2013.
Among those charged were:
– A 21-year-old Surry Hills man – Charged with supply prohibited drug, possess prohibited drug and deal with proceeds of crime;
– A 21-year-old Engadine man – Charged with supply prohibited drug and possess prohibited drug (two counts);
– A 19-year-old Emu Plains man – Charged with supply prohibited drug , possess prohibited drug and deal with proceeds of crime;
– An 18-year-old Glenwood man – Charged with supply prohibited drug (two counts) and possess prohibited drug (two counts);
– A 19-year-old Schofields man – Charged with supply prohibited drug (two counts) and possess prohibited drug (two counts);
– A 22-year-old Bellambi man – Issued court attendance notice for supply prohibited drug and possess prohibited drug;
– A 19-year-old Riverstone man – Charged with supply prohibited drug and possess prohibited drug;
– A 21-year-old Giralang (ACT) man – Charged with supply prohibited drug (three counts), possess prohibited drug (three counts) and deal with proceeds of crime;
– A 19-year-old Emu Plains man – Charged with supply prohibited drug, possess prohibited drug and deal with proceeds of crime;
– An 18-year-old Casula man – Charged with supply prohibited drug, possess prohibited drug and deal with proceeds of crime;
– An 18-year-old Point Cook (VIC) woman – Charged with supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity);
– An 19-year-old Lakemba man – Charged with supply prohibited drug;
– An 18-year-old Belmore man – Charged with supply prohibited drug;
– An 18-year-old Macquarie Fields woman – Charged with supply prohibited drug;
– A 19-year-old Cowell man – Charged with supply prohibited drug;
– A 19-year-old Fairfield man – Charged with supply prohibited drug;
– A 23-year-old Oatley man – Charged with supply prohibited drug; and
– A 16-year-old male Italian national – Charged with supply prohibited drug;
Superintendent Gavin Dengate, Eastern Beaches Local Area Commander, said police are warning those attending the under-18s music festival today to ensure they listen to warnings about drug and alcohol use, as well as anti-social behaviour.
“Under 18s attending today’s event need to ensure they are obeying the law by not bringing prohibited drugs and alcohol into the event.
“Party goers are encouraged to come out and enjoy the day, but keep in the back of their mind that police will be patrolling the grounds and not to do anything they shouldn’t.
“We do not want to see anyone come unstuck by thinking they’re above the law, and result in them facing action by police.
“Anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol who feels unwell should seek immediate help and medical attention through first aid officers or police on site.
“Police also urge festival goers to use public transport to and from the venue, where possible.
“In addition, we ask those who may be dropping off young people to do so at the sign-posted areas on Driver Avenue at Moore Park, where free buses will operate between there and the festival venue. Police will be on hand to assist with this,” Superintendent Dengate added.
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