Reveller allegedly carrying 75 MDMA tablets, speed and cocaine is one of 96 people arrested for drug offences at Strawberry Fields music festival
- More than 95 people have been charged with drug offences at a music festival
- Glenn McRae died at the same festival on Sunday of a suspected drug overdose
- The Strawberry Fields music festival attracted more than 9,500 revellers daily
More than 90 festival goers have been arrested by police for drug offences at the same music festival where a young man died of a suspected drug overdose.
A man allegedly carrying 75 MDMA tablets, speed and cocaine was one of 96 people arrested for drug offences at this year’s Strawberry Fields music festival in Tocumal, south west of Canberra.
Officers have since charged 69 people.
More than 95 people were charged with drug offences at the 2019 Strawberry Fields music festival over the weekend where young man Glenn McRae died of a suspected overdose (file photo)
A further 11 people were issued Drug Criminal Infringement Notices and police made in excess of 70 drug detections.
Murray River Police District Commander, Acting Superintendent Andrew Spliet said he was pleased with overall crowd behaviour.
However he also said there is still a large contingent of people who aren’t getting the message about bringing illegal drugs to the event.
‘It’s disappointing that despite the warnings, we continue to detect the possession and supply of these illicit substances,’ Acting Superintendent Spliet said.
‘Not only is it a serious criminal offence, it is also harmful to your health; it can impact not only your life, but the lives of those around you.
‘The safety of festival-goers remains our number one priority
The festival drew over 9,500 revellers each day but police said they were disappointed the message around illegal drugs at festivals didn’t seem to be sinking in
From the weekend arrests a 22-year-old Victorian man was charged with supply prohibited drug and three counts of possess prohibited drug.
He is due to appear at Finley Local Court on December 19.
Meanwhile a 20-year-old North Albury man was charged with supply prohibited drug and possess prohibited drug.
A 25-year-old Victorian man was charged with supply prohibited drug, escape police custody, and resist officer in execution of duty.
The arrests came on the same weekend that Glenn McRae, 24, died after taking MDMA, cocaine and GHB at the festival on Sunday.
The young reveller was taken by friends to the festival medical tent after suffering a suspected heart attack.
Paramedics worked for more than an hour, but the cocktail of drugs proved deadly.
Officers from the Murray River Police District are investigating the circumstances of Mr McRae’s death and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
The police operation continued throughout Sunday and Monday.
A total of 800 stationary roadside breath and drug tests were also conducted and resulted in a further 20 drug detections.
The arrests came on the same weekend that Glenn McRae, 24, (pictured) died after taking MDMA, cocaine and GHB at the festival on Sunday