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150 caught carrying drugs at two Sydney weekend music festivals

Hundreds of partygoers at two music events in Sydney have been charged after allegedly being caught carrying drugs - mostly ecstasy.

Nearly 150 people were nabbed for either supplying or possessing prohibited substances at the Electric Gardens Music Festival in Centennial Park on Saturday, and Sydney Olympic Park on Saturday, police say.

More than 11,000 people attended the Electric Gardens Music Festival at Centennial Park. Source: Electric Gardens/Facebook
More than 11,000 people attended the Electric Gardens Music Festival at Centennial Park. Source: Electric Gardens/Facebook


Electric Gardens

More than 11,000 attended the festival, headlined by DJs Fatboy Slim and Armand Van Helden.

Police said in a statement seven people were charged for allegedly supplying prohibited drugs at the Centenary Park event, 132 people were charged with possessing prohibited drugs, two were charged with resisting an officer, one other for assault, four for re-entering a licensed premises when excluded, and two more were issued with cannabis cautions.

Among them was a 20-year-old man from Sydney's west, who - after initially running away from police - was allegedly was found with 50 capsules, believed to be MDMA.

  • Mass Vic festival overdose, one critical

  • Nine in hospital after suspected drug overdose at party

Officers also allegedly seized more than 30 capsules of the same drug from a 25-year-old eastern suburbs man.

This cheeky photoshop highway sign was posted to the Electric Gardens Facebook page on Australia Day. Source: Electric Gardens/Instagram
This cheeky photoshop highway sign was posted to the Electric Gardens Facebook page on Australia Day. Source: Electric Gardens/Instagram

Police said 116 people required medical treatment at the music festival, with three people taken to hospital for further treatment during the event for drug-related health issues.


HTID Dance

Over at Sydney Olympic Park, more than 6,000 people showed up to the rave which continued until midnight.

During a separate operation, more than 150 people were searched resulting in a three people charged for allegedly supplying prohibited drugs and 16 with possessing prohibited drugs.

Police also charged 19 people with drug-related offences at the HTID Dance party at Sydney Olympic Park.

116 people required medical treatment at the Electric Gardens music festival, with three people taken to hospital for further treatment during the event for drug-related health issues. Electric Gardens/Instagram
116 people required medical treatment at the Electric Gardens music festival, with three people taken to hospital for further treatment during the event for drug-related health issues. Electric Gardens/Instagram

Two 19-year-olds and an 18-year-old woman, from Coogee, Beverley Hills and Campbelltown, were all arrested for allegedly possessing more than 100 MDMA capsules between them.

Two people were issued with on-the-spot fines for refusing to leave the licensed premises when directed.

Police say three people at the event were taken to hospital for drug-related health issues, while more than 100 sought treatment on-site.

All those charged are due to face various local courts in coming months.


Mass Melbourne festival overdose, one critical

The drug busts come a day after 10 people were treated in Victorian hospitals - including one person who remains fighting for life -following a mass overdose at a Meboune music festival.

Those treated at various hospitals were partying at the I Am Hardstyle rave at Festival Hall, in West Melbourne, on Friday night after they stopped breathing, authorities said.