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Police to target drug activity at Sydney’s summer music festivals
Thursday, 03 Dec 2009 01:30pm
Editors Note: A compilation tape of footage of previous drug dog operations will be provided to Network Ten for distribution to other television newsrooms later today. Still images are available via email by contacting Police Media on (02)8263 6100.
Police are warning revellers they’ll be out in force targeting drug activity at Sydney’s popular music festivals this summer.
Large crowds are expected to turn-out for the annual rock event, Homebake, to be held at The Domain, in the Royal Botanic Gardens, this Saturday (5 December).
General duties police from Central Metropolitan Region and specialist units, including the Public Order and Riot Squad, Mounted Section and Dog Unit, will be deployed to ensure the safety and security of revellers.
Drug detection dogs will be used to sniff out people trying to smuggle illegal substances into music events this summer.
Police will also target anti-social and criminal behaviour.
“Drugs are a scourge on society and pose a real risk to people’s health and we’ll be doing everything we can to stop dangerous and illegal substances being taken into these events,” Superintendent Luke Moore, Central Metropolitan Region Operations Manager, said.
“This is not about us being the fun police – it’s about ensuring the tens of thousands of people heading to these big events over summer can enjoy themselves in a safe, secure and drug-free environment,” he said.
During last year’s Homebake festival, police arrested 72 people for drug offences.
Eight were subsequently charged with supplying prohibited drugs, including ecstasy, cocaine and amphetamine, while 64 others were charged with drug possession offences.
Officers also seized 256 MDMA (ecstasy) tablets and quantities of cocaine, speed and cannabis.
Last weekend, police from Surry Hills Local Area Command and the Dog Unit arrested and charged one person with drug supply and 68 others with possession in a high-visibility operation at the Stereosonic Dance Festival at Moore Park.
Police will also keep a visible presence at other events, including Field Day, Big Day Out, Sound Wave, Future Music Festival and V Festival, over coming months.
http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/l...nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjkwMjkuaHRtbCZhbGw9MQ==